Regional Development

Regional Development

The AERU conducts research that examines how local governments can share leadership with other actors in their communities, to develop and sustain regional capabilities for wellbeing through integrated investment in different types of capital.

Professor Paul Dalziel and Distinguished Professor Caroline Saunders have developed a framework for local government action. The framework was published in their book, ‘Wellbeing Economics - The Capabilities Approach to Prosperity’, and has informed regional development studies conducted by the AERU. The regional development research examines how local governments can share leadership roles with other actors in their communities, and work to develop and sustain regional capabilities for wellbeing through integrated investment in different types of capital. The AERU conducts baseline statistical analysis of regional resources to assess the availability of different capital stocks. It obtains residents views on what outcomes are valued for wellbeing, and engages in dialogue with the business sector to gains insights on factors constraining wellbeing. It also reviews the provision of public services to identify gaps and opportunities for enhancing capabilities. This research allows the gaps and opportunities in regional capabilities to be identified, which provides a foundation for co-produced strategies to fill the gaps and take advantage of the opportunities.

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