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Libera Università di Bolzano

Regional Development and Sustainability

Semestre 1-2 · 31032 · Corso di laurea magistrale in Management del Turismo · 12CFU · EN


M-1
• This module provides a solid foundation in regional and environmental economics, covering key topics such as location decisions, infrastructure, regional disparities, and environmental policy.
• Students learn to apply formal economic models and analyze real-world location and environmental challenges.
• The course combines theoretical modeling with practical case studies and policy applications.
• The main goal is to develop analytical thinking skills and the ability to formulate evidence-based policy recommendations.

M-2
• This module introduces students to sustainable mobility, with a focus on behavioral science approaches to understanding and changing travel behavior.
• It covers a range of policy instruments, from informational tools and nudging to pricing strategies like road pricing.
• A strong emphasis is placed on impact evaluation methods, especially experimental designs, to assess policy effects.
• The aim is to equip students with the ability to critically assess the interactions between technology, behavior, and policy in the transport sector.

Docenti: Elisabeth Gsottbauer, Nicola Campigotto

Ore didattica frontale: 72 (36 M-1 + 36 M-2)
Ore di laboratorio: 12 only M-1
Obbligo di frequenza: -

Argomenti dell'insegnamento
Module 1: This course provides an applied introduction to modern regional economics. It focuses on the determinants of the attractiveness of a territory and will be divided into two parts. An initial part will deal with classical regional economics, while a second part will deal with environmental economics. The first part will introduce students to the determinants of firms’ and people’s location decisions as well as on the principles of urban economics. It will look at the role of infrastructures and at place-based policies. The second part will provide for core concepts of environmental economics with special emphasis on policy. To this purpose, it will start with the economic theory of environmental policy. Based on the theory of externalities, it will analyze instruments for environmental policy from an economic point-of-view. It will then introduce topics of behavioral environmental economics. The course is aimed at understanding how formal models can be used to analyze real-world situations. Theoretical analyses are complemented with empirical evidence, case studies, and discussions of implications for environmental policies. Students acquire a broad knowledge in the field of regional and environmental economics and develop an economic intuition by means of examples and applications. More precisely, they will be provided with: • the toolkit to independently deepen their knowledge in regional and environmental economics and understand advanced research; • the ability to apply regional and environmental economic theory in research and practice. Students will understand, among others, how to formulate and solve problems in regional and environmental economics using advanced economic theory. To address these questions adequately, students learn to apply mathematical tools and game theory, such as optimization methods. Most importantly, students will not only be able to solve these models analytically, but also understand the intuition at work. Module 2: This course on sustainable transport and behavior change provides a comprehensive exploration of the behavioral foundations that underlie transportation systems and policies. Students will be introduced to a wide range of topics, from the utilization of new technology and measurement instruments to sense travel behavior, to the integration of behavioral science in understanding travel patterns. The course adopts an interdisciplinary approach by introducing various frameworks for explaining and changing travel behavior. By contrasting classic economic theory with behavioral economics and social psychology, students will gain a holistic understanding of the factors influencing travel behavior. The course also introduces a spectrum of public policy instruments for positively influencing behavior, ranging from information and changing perceptions to pricing strategies such as road pricing. Ultimately, the course will provide students with methodological tools to critically evaluate the impact of policy interventions on behaviour through rigorous experimental methods. Through critical engagement with various models of human behavior and decision-making, students will develop expertise in analytical thinking, enabling them to comprehend individual travel behavior. The emphasis on impact evaluation an experimental research methods will cultivate problem-solving skills, supporting students to address policy challenges in the realm of sustainable transportation.

Modalità di insegnamento
The modules use a mix of interactive lectures, case-based discussions, and hands-on exercises with real-world data. Students also work in groups on applied projects linking theory to practice.

Obiettivi formativi
Conoscenza e comprensione Lo studente/La studentessa acquisisce la competenza di applicare conoscenza e comprensione circa il ruolo del turismo nello sviluppo economico di comunità, regioni e nazioni. Lo studente/la studentessa acquisisce la capacità di identificare e analizzare i problemi ambientali e sociali indotti dal turismo e di comprenderne le interdipendenze e i contesti, applicando teorie e metodi e sviluppando approcci esplicativi. Capacità di applicare conoscenza e comprensione Lo studente/La studentessa acquisisce capacità specifiche nella pianificazione territoriale e nei modelli economici legati allo sviluppo turistico. Lo studente/La studentessa acquisisce padronanza nella pianificazione di sistemi di mobilità e digitalizzazione all’interno dell’economia regionale. Lo studente/La studentessa acquisisce inoltre la capacità di leggere e comprendere analisi economiche. L'approccio contestuale e multidisciplinare consente agli studenti di considerare in modo olistico i requisiti operativi, settoriali, economici e sociali e i problemi ambientali nei processi decisionali. Le aree di applicazione delle conoscenze comprendono i livelli micro, meso e macro e includono l'acquisizione di competenze necessarie per la consulenza politica e lo sviluppo di strategie aziendali. "Inoltre, vi sono competenze che hanno le loro basi nell'economia comportamentale, nella teoria delle decisioni e nella ricerca sul comportamento dei consumatori, competenze che sono particolarmente importanti nell'analisi empirica, così come nelle previsioni ex-ante e negli scenari nel contesto di interrogativi orientati al futuro." Le competenze sviluppate possono essere applicate in contesti regionali, nazionali e internazionali. Lo sviluppo e la promozione delle competenze includono anche la capacità di presentare questioni e risultati complessi e socialmente rilevanti in modo preciso e coerente, ma in modo comprensibile e orientato al gruppo target Autonomia di giudizio acquisire la capacità di selezionare dati e utilizzare le informazioni appropriate per descrivere un problema che attiene alla gestione delle aziende turistiche così come associazioni e consorzi e destinazioni turistiche acquisire la capacità di mettere in relazione modelli ed evidenze empiriche nello studio delle aziende turistiche, delle associazioni, consorzi e destinazioni turistiche Abilità comunicative Il laureato/La laureata magistrale sarà in grado di comunicare efficacemente in forma orale e scritta i contenuti specialistici delle singole discipline, utilizzando registri diversi a seconda dei destinatari e degli scopi comunicativi e didattici, e di valutare gli effetti formativi della sua comunicazione. Le abilità comunicative scritte ed orali sono particolarmente sviluppate nelle attività formative svolte per la preparazione della tesi di laurea magistrale, nella discussione di casi aziendali e nelle lezioni interattive che prevedono discussioni di gruppo e il confronto di analisi individuali. Capacità di apprendimento di individuare collegamenti tematici e di stabilire relazioni tra diversi casi e contesti di analisi. di inquadrare un nuovo problema in modo sistematico e di generare tassonomie appropriate. di elaborare modelli generali, a partire dai fenomeni studiati.

Modalità d'esame
M1: Regional Economics and Development: Grading is 100% based on a final written exam. Students are required to answer open questions. Assessment is the same for both attending and non-attending students. M2: Sustainable Mobility: Attending students: Grading is based on a final exam containing open questions which makes up 60%. Students in addition will present a real-life case assignment which makes up for 40% of the final grade. The case study report needs to be handed in 3 weeks before the written exam, at the latest. Non-attending students: Non attending students will be assessed through a final exam test (100%) that covers all course materials.

Criteri di valutazione
Exam questions are graded on correctness, clarity, and analytical depth. Group projects are evaluated based on originality, demonstrated understanding of concepts, and the ability to link theory to real-world policy applications.

Bibliografia obbligatoria

M1: Regional Economics and Development:

-       Capello, R: Regional Economics, Routledge, 2015

-       Sterner, T., & Coria, J. (2013). Policy instruments for environmental and natural resource management. Routledge.

-       Perman, R. (2003). Natural resource and environmental economics. Pearson Education.

M2: Sustainable Mobility:

-       Hutton, B. (2013). Planning sustainable transport. Routledge.

-       Thaler, Richard H., and Cass R.Sunstein. Nudge: Improving decisions about health, wealth, and happiness. Yale University Press, 2008 




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Obiettivi di sviluppo sostenibile
Questa attività didattica contribuisce al raggiungimento dei seguenti Obiettivi di Sviluppo sostenibile.

11 13

Modules

Semestre 1 · 31032A · Corso di laurea magistrale in Management del Turismo · 6CFU · EN

Module A — M-1 - Regional Economics and Development

• This module provides a solid foundation in regional and environmental economics, covering key topics such as location decisions, infrastructure, regional disparities, and environmental policy.
• Students learn to apply formal economic models and analyze real-world location and environmental challenges.
• The course combines theoretical modeling with practical case studies and policy applications.
• The main goal is to develop analytical thinking skills and the ability to formulate evidence-based policy recommendations.

Docenti: Nicola Campigotto

Ore didattica frontale: 36
Ore di laboratorio: 12

Argomenti dell'insegnamento
This course provides an applied introduction to modern regional economics. It focuses on the determinants of the attractiveness of a territory and will be divided into two parts. An initial part will deal with classical regional economics, while a second part will deal with environmental economics. The first part will introduce students to the determinants of firms’ and people’s location decisions as well as on the principles of urban economics. It will look at the role of infrastructures and at place-based policies. The second part will provide for core concepts of environmental economics with special emphasis on policy. To this purpose, the course will start with the economic theory of environmental policy. Based on the theory of externalities, it will analyze instruments for environmental policy from an economic point-of-view. It will then introduce topics of behavioral environmental economics. The course is aimed at understanding how formal models can be used to analyze real-world situations. Theoretical analyses are complemented with empirical evidence, case studies, and discussions of implications for environmental policies.

Modalità di insegnamento
Interactive lectures, case-based discussions, and hands-on exercises.

Bibliografia obbligatoria

Capello, R. (2015), Regional Economics, Routledge

Sterner, T. and Coria, J. (2013), Policy instruments for environmental and natural resource management, Routledge

Perman, R. (2003), Natural resource and environmental economics, Pearson Education

OECD (2022), The Contribution of Migration to Regional Development, OECD Regional Development Studies



Semestre 2 · 31032B · Corso di laurea magistrale in Management del Turismo · 6CFU · EN

Module B — M-2 - Sustainable Mobility

• This module introduces students to sustainable mobility, with a focus on behavioral science approaches to understanding and changing travel behavior.
• It covers a range of policy instruments, from informational tools and nudging to pricing strategies like road pricing.
• A strong emphasis is placed on impact evaluation methods, especially experimental designs, to assess policy effects.
• The aim is to equip students with the ability to critically assess the interactions between technology, behavior, and policy in the transport sector.

Docenti: Elisabeth Gsottbauer

Ore didattica frontale: 36
Ore di laboratorio: -

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