Drivers of convergence: The role of first- and second-nature geography

Arvanitopoulos, Theodoros, Monastiriotis, Vassilis and Panagiotidis, Theodore (2021) Drivers of convergence: The role of first- and second-nature geography. Urban Studies, 58 (14). pp. 2880-2900. ISSN 0042-0980

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Abstract

The analysis of regional convergence often stays at the level of documentation, with limited attention placed on the drivers of convergence/divergence dynamics. This article offers a systematic analysis of this, examining the role of first-nature (location, proximity, physical geography) and second-nature geography (economic structure, agglomeration, economic potential) in accounting for regional synchronicity in growth trajectories (stochastic convergence). Utilising historical data for Greece at the prefectural level and up-to-date time-series econometric techniques, we test for the presence of stochastic convergence in the country over three decades prior to the crisis; identify the pairs of regions which exhibit co-movement in their growth dynamics; and examine the covariates of this. Our results unveil a picture of limited-only and cluster-like convergence, driven predominantly by factors related to accessibility, sectoral specialisations, labour market dynamism, market potential and selected locational characteristics. This supports two propositions: (a) convergence is an endogenous process, related to shared and incongruent characteristics of regions; and, by implication, (b) regional disparities are structural (in the sense that they are linked to economic and spatial structure) and thus require targeted policies in order to be addressed.

Item Type:	Article
Uncontrolled Keywords:	greece,first and second nature geography,pairwise approach,stochastic convergence,environmental science (miscellaneous),urban studies ,/dk/atira/pure/subjectarea/asjc/2300/2301
Faculty \ School:	Faculty of Science > School of Environmental Sciences
UEA Research Groups:	University of East Anglia Schools > Faculty of Science > Tyndall Centre for Climate Change Research Faculty of Science > Research Centres > Tyndall Centre for Climate Change Research
Related URLs:	https://doi.org/10.1177/0042098020981361 http://www.scopus.com/inward/record.url?...
Depositing User:	LivePure Connector
Date Deposited:	01 Dec 2020 00:55
Last Modified:	02 Jul 2025 23:59
URI:	https://ueaeprints.uea.ac.uk/id/eprint/77834
DOI:	10.1177/0042098020981361

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