Transborder Economic Gravitation

Abstract

The aim of the paper is to present theoretical foundations of the analysis of processes of polarization of transborder regional development, explaining causes of these processes, forecasting of these processes, identification of medium and long-term effects, with particular emphasis on the cross-border economic and social gravitation. Special attention is paid to the influence of the development of cities, industrialized areas and infrastructural investments on the polarisation of regional development at the costs of the resources of less developed regions. It was indicated what actions should be taken into account in the policy of spatial development of the country in order to ensure sustainable optimal and balanced development of regions, with special reference to transborder areas. The practical conclusion formulated in the paper is the necessity to take into account in the policy of sustainable regional development the phenomena of economic gravitation. In open market driven economy the regional and macroeconomic influence of transborder economic gravitation is growing. The decisions concerning national or transnational infrastructural projects aimed at regional development should take into account their impact on transborder economic gravitation and its effects on areas with weak gravitational strength. Monitoring of economic gravitation should be an integral component of official statistical programs.