Territorial Development at the Crossroads of Attractiveness and Sustainability

An abundant literature in spatial planning, economic geography and regional science has focused on territorial attractiveness. However, most literature does not sufficiently integrate recent research challenges induced by sustainable development. The latter issue is likely to modify profoundly the locational determinants of economic activities and the mechanisms that explain the ability of territories to attract economic activities. Consequently, a novel approach articulating the necessity of integrating the concept of sustainable development and territorial attractiveness is pertinent. The purpose of this study is to show to what extent an evidence-based analysis of sustainable development goals affects the classification of countries according to their level of development and their potential to move to a higher ranking of their performance. On the basis of panel data on 52 countries, monitored over the last ten years, and through the explicit consideration of "proxy" variables of sustainability, attractiveness, and economic growth associated with measurable indicators, the paper seeks to assess the main basic trends, to develop a typology according to the main new strategic orientation, and to analyse rank order changes in different homogeneous groups of countries. The results confirm the idea of a general two-dimensional and dichotomic trend towards (or against) sustainability and attractiveness and employment prospects. Our study confirms the widening divide between countries in terms of their socio-economic and environmental policies.