A theoretical analysis of transportation infrastructures contribution to regional development

Abstract

One of the most basic "instruments" used to achieve regional and local development is the implementation of transportation infrastructure. In literature, a significant number of surveys have been drawn up concerned the relationship and the contribution of transport infrastructure to local and regional development, which highlight the complexity of this relationship. This article discusses in a theoretical context the contribution of transport infrastructure to regional development. Initially, the main categories of transport infrastructure are briefly described, as well as the relationship between transport infrastructures and regional development in the context of the main regional development theories. Then, the main factors that directly or indirectly favour or influence the appearance of regional economic effects and determine their size or direction are described and the final conclusions drawn from the previous analysis are formulated.