Development Pole Theory in a Regional Context

As a result of inadequacies in the traditional approach to location problems a new body of thought has emerged in recent years which centers on the notion of development poles (po̧les de croissance). This concept was first put forth systematically by F. PERROUX, though it now has come into use in many countries in both theoretical discussions and public policy programs.-The present article examines the often ambiguous uses which have been made of development pole theory and evaluates some of its principal strengths and weaknesses as a tool of economic analysis. Attention also is given to the related concepts of economic space and economic domination. Among the problems of development pole theory are its emphasis upon big industrial undertakings, its relationship to external economies of agglomeration, its relationship to public policy goals, and its need for semantic clarification. Nevertheless, the theory remains potentially valuable for conditional analysis of the process of regional development; moreover, it may be expected that French regional planning experience will provide data in the near future for refining the approach to rational spatial resource allocation to which French economists have so largely contributed.