A new regional development research programme

Borsos, János – Nábrádi, András

The intellectual profile and principles of the Agricultural and Regional Development Faculty of Debrecen University are regionally oriented, not only due to its geographical position, but because its founding aim was to be the central scientific workshop for the East of Hungary region. Couple this with its role as the focal point for the Carpathian Basin area and it is obvious that it has to be the integrator for the process known simply as the discipline of Regional Development. Economic trends to date show that one of the unfortunate common characteristics of areas defined as regions manifests itself as increasing social inequality, the root problem being the widening gulf between wealth and poverty. This situation defies human tolerance and is an obstacle to all efforts by social welfare to improve standards of living. The new research programme tackles the fundamental question of the regional development of this area: the uncovering and management of social asymmetries, using economic and other relevant tools, which, following the arguments could be the guiding concept of the programme.

The socio-economic models, which form bridges and enable us to traverse from theoretical knowledge to the mechanics of practical implementation, are built on explorations on the small area level. The lecture that was delivered, and now this article, seek to present for argument the hypothesis, structure and operation of the research programme, with a view to testing in practise the research utilised during the programme and measuring its scientific value through reproduction. Regionalism should not be a barrier to advancement and its methods should be applicable in similar areas.

The practical aims of the programme are:
- an improvement in the opportunities for family income,
- education,
- the maintenance and improvement of physical and mental health,
- the creation of the conditions needed for self-development,
- progress in the economic and intellectual development of settlements (“mission principle”),
- the stabilisation of population retention,
- an evocation of “the forces of attraction”,
- the creation of the prerequisites for capital investment and utilisation.

We often come across the verbal presence of these issues, but rarely their scientific execution or practical implementation, which can be seen as a type of intellectual debt.

With regard to the programme’s structure, it appears necessary to think in terms of sub-programmes, a breakdown by subject and the connected elaboration of some parts. At the same time, due to the depth of breakdown required for some areas, an organisational system is required for the programme in order to produce the syntheses from which practical recommendations and generalisations on dissemination beyond the region can follow.

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