Regional spillovers of transport infrastructure investment: a territorial cohesion analysis

Abstract

Territorial cohesion is a routine part of the job of spatial planners. However, it has not always been measured using a valid and solid methodology. This paper addresses conceptually how regional spillovers of transport investments of the Spanish master plan (''Plan Estratégico de Infraestructuras y Transporte'' 2005-2020) affect territorial cohesion. Different periods undergo analysis using the ''extraction method''. We calculate regional spillovers by accessibility gains measured in economic potential units (gravitational method using GDPs for each centroid under analysis). Two different typologies of regional spillovers are given, according to the direction of the effects: upstream and downstream. We conclude that the 'Plan Estratégico' favours territorial cohesion of Spain, but the degree of territorial cohesion produced by each region is not uniform. The end of the paper raises a number of suggestions for further research on the interaction of regional spillovers with territorial cohesion.