Research on the theme of economic development covers a range of theoretical and policy related issues in developed, developing and transition economy settings with links to research on spatial planning, property and regeneration within the School.

In particular, research on economic development focuses on diverse aspects of the economy of ever large and complex city-regions, processes of industry clustering and innovation; the local and regional economic development impacts of multinational companies, foreign direct investment and trade openness; and the political economy of urban regeneration.