Space and Development at the Crossroads: Insights from Cliometrics

This article celebrates the thirtieth anniversary of Région et Développement by revisiting the dialogue it has nurtured between development economics and spatial economics. We situate our contribution within this tradition by engaging with selected chapters from the Handbook of Cliometrics, highlighting how long-run historical perspectives can illuminate contemporary spatial and territorial dynamics. Building on the contribution of Diebolt and Hippe in Région et Développement, we extend their cliometric approach to examine the persistence of disparities, the role of institutions, and the impact of policy interventions. Our analysis emphasizes that territorial development must be understood within long-term trajectories shaped by demographic forces, shocks, and innovations. We argue that historically grounded and spatially sensitive perspectives are essential for designing effective policies aimed at reducing regional inequalities. By weaving together insights from cliometrics and regional development, our study illustrates the value of connecting historical causality with spatial analysis. In doing so, we reaffirm the journal’s mission of combining analytical rigor with societal relevance.