Noboru Sakashita, the former president of the Ryutsu Keizai University and Professor Emeritus of the University of Tsukuba in Japan, passed away on August 13, 2003. He was very active in RSAI, serving as President of the Regional Science Association during 1987-1988 and his work in the fields of Regional Economics and Econometrics are well-known. He was one of the founders of Applied Regional Science Conference in Japan, and served as the managing editor of the Review of Urban & Regional Development Studies.
Lowell DeWitt Ashby, 89, an economist who retired from the Department of Commerce in 1981, died of pneumonia March 3 at Virginia Hospital Center in Arlington. He lived in Arlington. Dr. Ashby joined the staff at the Commerce Department in 1962. From 1948 to 1962, he served on the economics faculty at the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill. He was born in Hastings, Neb., and graduated from Hastings College. He received a master's degree in economics from the University of Minnesota and a doctorate in economics from the University of Wisconsin. During World War II, he was a Navy communications officer in North Africa, Italy and France. In 1966, he received the Department of Commerce's Silver Medal for "advancing the concepts and techniques of regional economic research." He was a past president and fellow of the Southern Regional Science Association. In retirement, Dr. Ashby was financial partner of the Potomac Investment Club, which he organized in 1969. He was an accomplished water color artist and a member of the Cosmos Club. Survivors include his wife of 61 years, Fern E. Ashby of Arlington; two children, Genette Ashby-Beach of Atlanta and L. DeWitt Ashby Jr. of Vienna; and three grandchildren.
Wolfgang passed away at the age of 89. Renowned as a trade theory and development economist, Stolper was also a friend and supporter of regional science and aided the publication of August Loesch's book on location theory in English. Stolper participated in the Heidenheim Loesch Tage and received the Ehrenring of Heidenheim City.
Morgan was born January 5, 1925 in Pontardulas, South Wales. He passed away peacefully on August 6, 2001 in Everett, Washington. He is survived by his beloved wife, Muriel, his three daughters Siobhan, Myfanwy, and Sine, his son, Michael, and four grandchildren. After his early schooling in South Wales, Morgan enlisted and served five years in the Royal Air Force during and after World War II, receiving his commission and his wings as a navigator. After demobilization in 1947 he attended Queens University in Belfast where he graduated with honors in 1951. He earned a Ph.D. in geography at Queens in 1954. After teaching and research appointments at the University of Michigan and Montana State University where he chaired the geography department, Morgan was invited to the University of Washington in 1959. He quickly won recognition here and abroad as an expert in the fields of economic geography and regional science with many of his research papers published in American and European journals. He was active for more than three decades in the Regional Science Association, serving a term in the 1970s as their international president. At the University of Washington, in addition to his teaching duties and graduate student supervision, Morgan was an administrator in the graduate school, in the provost's office and in the College of Arts and Sciences. He was chairman of the department of geography from 1983 to 1990. One of Morgan's most notable achievements was the supervision of masters and doctoral students, leading them to their degrees with his sage advice and direction. His former students and faculty colleagues hold him in great esteem, valuing his friendship and intellectual guidance. Morgan will be sorely missed by his loving family and good friends.
About 1980, the Rare and Manuscript Collections of Cornell University Library became the official repository for the records and papers of what is now the Regional Science Association International. At that time, the Library had accumulated a noteworthy collection of papers of early academic urban planners and architects. The Regional Science Archives were established as an extension of this activity through the efforts of Professor Barclay G. Jones of Cornell's Department of City and Regional Planning. Hence, Professor Jones was the Founding Archivist of the RSAI.
Presently, the Regional Science Archives consists mainly of the collected papers of Professors Walter Isard and Barclay Jones. Professor Isard donated about 100 cubic feet of material to the Archives when he moved to Cornell University in 1979. Professor Jones's papers consisting of about 42 cubic feet were transferred to the Archives following his death in May 1997. In addition to these collections, smaller research files have been contributed by several past presidents of the Association.
After David Boyce became the Archivist of the RSAI in January 1998, he worked with the staff of the Rare and Manuscript Collections to define appropriate and realistic long-term objectives for the Regional Science Archives. The following objectives for the Regional Science Archives were discussed and endorsed by the RSAI Council at Montreal on November 11, 1999:
Inquiries from individuals and academic programs should be directed to the current Archivist, who will attempt to offer advice, after consulting with the Curator of Rare and Manuscript Collections of Cornell University Library.
The RSAI Archivist is also a general resource for historical and reference information about Regional Science. The Archivist routinely receives requests concerning the whereabouts of published and unpublished papers in our Regional Science field. However, as can be seen from the above discussion, this activity is not the main function of the Archivist.
David Boyce This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it. served as RSAI Archivist from 1998, following the death of Professor Jones, until late 2017. At the time, Peter Batey This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it. became the RSAI Archivist. Inquiries concerning the Regional Science Archives should be sent to Peter Batey. On matters of historical interest, a copy can also be sent to David Boyce.
The four superregional organizations recognized by RSAI are:
Background
To retain its position as the worldwide leading organization of scientists and practitioners in regional science, RSAI has the ambition to take the lead and promote regional science in parts of the world not yet covered by RSAI sections. The main reason is to welcome scientists and practitioners in regional science in parts of the world not covered by existing RSAI sections to the RSAI network, congresses, workshops, journals, and other meetings organized by RSAI sections. RSAI also has the ambition to, through its sections, organize congresses, workshops, and other meetings in parts of the world not yet covered by RSAI sections in order to spread regional science and recruit both scientists and practitioners to the field of regional science. Therefore, RSAI welcomes initiatives to form new RSAI sections. In order to facilitate the formation and long-term viability of new sections, some initial financial support is available from the RSAI central office to these new sections. Specific details are outlined below.
It is important to stress that all new sections must meet the following three prerequisites:
Applications
Time schedule
Applications should be organized as follows:
Evaluation criteria
Each application is treated individually. The main evaluation criteria are:
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The name of the organization shall be the Regional Science Association International (known by the acronym RSAI).
RSAI is an international association set up to advance for the benefit of the public, regional analysis and related spatial and areal studies.
The principal criterion of eligibility for membership shall be a mature and deep interest in the field of regional science. Membership of RSAI is normally obtained through membership of a local Section. In exceptional circumstances direct individual membership may be considered by the Executive Director (an officer defined by Article V. section 3d).
Membership shall be renewed annually by payment of dues. This may be through a capitation levied on a section and/or collected through one of the superregional organizations established by the Association (see Article IV and By-law 1). If a member shall fail to pay dues within six months after the date of official renewal notice, the membership shall be considered terminated and the name shall be removed from the roster of members.
All members shall have full voting and office-holding rights.
Any member or associate who makes use of his affiliation with the Association in a manner considered improper by the Council (a body defined by Article V, Section I) may be suspended by the Council. After opportunity has been given to the individual for a hearing before the Council the member may be expelled from the Association by a vote of the Council.
No member or officer shall be individually liable for the debts, contracts, and other obligations of the Association, other than the dues paid for membership. This proviso shall appear in all contracts entered into by, and behalf of, RSAI.
RSAI comprises superregional associations which, in turn, comprise affiliated local sections/associations (see Section 2 of this Article). The superregional associations and their sections are specified in By-law 1 of this Constitution.
Superregional organizations shall actively promote the establishment of affiliated sections/ associations within their territory of responsibility.
Superregional organizations, in addition to promoting their own branding and that of their member sections, also promote the branding of RSAI (See By-law 2 of this Constitution).
RSAI and its officers shall not be liable for the debts, contracts, and other obligations of superregional organizations or affiliated sections/associations.
RSAI shall be administered by a Council consisting of nineteen (19) voting members; this number shall include voting officers. The voting members of the Council and the election rules of the RSAI Council members and officers are specified in By-law 3 of the Constitution.
RSAI Council shall take a global view of the objectives of the Association set out in Article II. Once appointed or elected, each member of the Council shall represent the best interests of the regional science community throughout the world rather than those exclusive to any world region, including that in which the member is normally resident. The Council shall actively encourage the institutionalization of regional science throughout the world.
The Long Range Planning Committee (LRPC) shall provide advice, as requested, to the President and the Council on issues relating to the strategic development of regional science and the affairs of RSAI. The membership of the Long Range Planning Committee comprises the Past Presidents of RSAI, plus two members of the Council, appointed by the Council, who are voting members of the LRPC. The appointed members are part of the LRPC as long as they are members of the Council. When their term as members of the Council expires, their role in the LRPC also ends. The Council immediately elects a new member.
The Council may from time to time establish Sub-Committees to perform specific functions as determined by Council. One Sub-Committee to be established by the Council is the Finance Committee comprising the President, the Immediate Past President and/or the President Elect, the Executive Director, the Treasurer (a non-voting member), and two Council voting members chosen by the Council to serve for a period of two years. The Finance Committee elects a Chair, who regularly reports to the RSAI Council. Financial Accounts are checked once a year, before the external audit of the accounts, by an internal Audit Committee, comprising two Council members who are not members of the Financial Committee, appointed by the Council, and are appointed for a period of three years.
In the event that voting positions of the Council become available through death, resignation, or other reasons, they may be refilled following the procedures as specified below:
If the number of voting Council members at any meeting of the Council is less than 50 percent of the total voting membership of the Council any decisions taken shall not be considered final until they have been:
Regular European, North American (from 2008 The Americas), and Pacific meetings of the Association shall be held under the direction of the respective superregional organizations. In addition, World Congresses may be held periodically with arrangements to be specified by the Council.
The Council normally shall meet in conjunction with each of the three regular, major meetings of the Association and with each World Congress. Additional meetings of the Council may be called, in exceptional circumstances, by the President. Attendance at meetings of the Council shall be open only to its members and other individuals expressly invited by the President.
At the discretion of the President, other meetings of the Council may be held through teleconferencing to deal with a matter of urgency.
The names of superregional associations, the rules for the elections of the President, the Executive Director and the members of the RSAI Council are specified in by-laws. Moreover, by-laws regulate: i) the branding of RSAI by the three superregional associations and by all local associations, and ii) the role of specific Committees. Amendments to the by-laws may be proposed by any member of Regional Science Association International Council and shall be adopted upon affirmative vote of the majority of the Council.
Amendments to this Constitution may be proposed either by action of the Council or by petition of at least 50 active members of the Association and shall be adopted upon affirmative vote of two-thirds of the members voting. Such voting shall take place by mail ballot
If the members resolve to dissolve the organization the Committee and Trustees of the Charity will remain in office as Charity trustees and be responsible for winding up the affairs of the organization and the Charity in accordance with this clause. The Trustees will collect in all the assets of the charity and must pay, or make provision, for all the liabilities of the charity. The Trustees must apply any remaining property or money:
The members may pass a resolution before or at the same time as the resolution to dissolve the organization and the Charity specifying the manner in which the Trustees are to apply the remaining property or assets of the Charity and the Trustees must comply with the resolution if it is consistent with paragraphs a-c above.
In no circumstances shall the net assets of the Organization and Charity be paid to or distributed among the members of the Organization or Charity
The trustees of the Charity must notify the Commission promptly that the charity has been dissolved. If the Trustees are obliged to send the Charity’s accounts to the Commission for the accounting period which ended before its dissolution they must send to the Commission the Charity’s final accounts.
The Regional Science Association was organized in December 1954 at the annual meeting of the Allied Social Science Associations in Detroit, Michigan. The founder of the association was Walter Isard, who served as chairman in the formative years. In 1957 elections were held for the first time. The following is a list of persons who held the office of President, the term and the scholarly field of the president, generally defined as the field of their highest degree.
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Hiroyuki Shibusawsa
2025-2026, Urban and
Regional Economic System
(VP2024)
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Hans Westlund
Sweden, 2023-2024, Urban and
Regional Studies
(VP 2022)
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Eduardo Haddad
Brazil, 2021-22, Economics
(VP 2020)
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Mark Partridge
USA, 2019-20, Economics
(VP 2018)
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Budy Resosudarmo
Indonesia/Australia, 2017-18,
Economics
(Jacques Poot, VP 2016)
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Andrés Rodríguez-Pose
Spain/UK, 2015-16, Geography
(VP 2014)
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Jean-Claude Thill
Belgium/USA, 2013-14, Public Policy
(VP, 2012)
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Yoshiro Higano
Japan, 2011-12, Environmental Science
(VP 2010)
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Roberta Capello
Italy, 2009-10,Regional Economics
(VP 2008)
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Roger R. Stough
USA, 2007-08, Geography and
Environmental Engineering
(VP 2006)
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Robert J. Stimson
Australia, 2005-06, Geography
(VP 2004)
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Antoine Bailly
France/Switzerland, 2003-04, Geography
(VP 2002)
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Geoffrey J.D. Hewings
UK/ USA, 2001-02, Geography
(VP 2000)
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Hirotada Kohno
Japan, 1999-00, Economics
(VP 1998)
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Peter Batey
UK, 1997-98, Regional Planning
(VP 1996)
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Kingsley E. Haynes
USA, 1995-96, Geography
(VP 1994)
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Lay Gibson
USA, 1993-94, Geography
(VP 1992)
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Peter Nijkamp
Netherlands, 1991-92, Economics
(VP 1990)
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In 1989, the Regional Science Association was reorganized as the Regional Science Association International. Beginning in 1991, Presidents serve two-year terms.
Rodney C. Jensen, Australia, 1989-90, Economics |
Rolf Funck, Germany, 1988-89, Economics |
Noboru Sakashita, Japan, 1987-88, Economics |
David Boyce, USA, 1986-87, Regional Science |
Lloyd Rodwin, USA, 1985-86, Regional Planning |
Ake Andersson, Sweden, 1984-85, Economics |
Allan Pred, USA, 1983-84, Geography |
Barclay G. Jones, USA, 1982-83, Economics |
Ryszard Domanski, Poland, 1981-82, Geography |
Jean Paelinck, Netherlands ,1980-81, Economics |
Martin J. Beckmann, USA, Germany, 1979-80, Economics |
William Alonso, USA, 1978-79, Regional Science |
Per Holm, Sweden, 1977-78, City Planning |
Leo H. Klaassen, Netherlands, 1976-77, Economics |
Morgan D. Thomas, USA, 1975-76, Geography |
Stan Czamanski, USA and Israel, 1975-76, Regional Science |
Genpachiro Konno, Japan, 1974-75, Economics |
Leon N. Moses, USA, 1972-73, Economics |
Kazimierz Dziewoński, Poland, 1971-72, Geography |
Gerald A. P. Carrothers, Canada, 1970-71, Regional Planning and Economics |
Benjamin Chinitz, USA, 1969-70, Economics |
Torsten Hägerstrand, Sweden, 1968-69, Geography |
Benjamin H. Stevens, USA 1967-68, Regional Planning and Economics |
Britton Harris, USA, 1966-67, City Planning |
William Warntz, USA, 1965-66, Geography |
Charles L. Leven, USA, 1964-65, Economics |
William L. C. Wheaton, USA, 1963-64, Political Science |
William L. Garrison, USA, 1962-63, Geography |
Edgar M. Hoover, USA, 1961-62, Economics |
Edward L. Ullman, USA, 1960-61, Geography |
Robert B. Mitchell, USA, 1959-60, City Planning |
Walter Isard, USA, 1958-59, Economics |
Walter Isard, USA, 1957-58, Economics |
The main objectives of the Association are the fostering of exchange of ideas and the promotion of studies focusing on the region, including the utilization of tools, methods and theoretical frameworks, specifically designed for regional analysis as well as concept, procedures and analytical techniques of the various social and other sciences. These objectives are supported through the acquaintance and discussion among its members and with scholars in related fields, by the encouragement of publication of scholarly studies and by performing services to aid the advancement of its members and the field of regional science. Minutes of the RSAI meetings are in pdf format for your convenience.
Select the appropriate minutes to open the PDF file in a new window:
An interdisciplinary, international organization focusing on understanding the growth and development of urban, regional, and international systems.
PresidentHiroyuki Shibusawsa (2025-2026) |
Vice President |
Executive DirectorAna Viñuela (2025-2027) |
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Councillors |
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ERSA |
NARSC |
LARSA |
PRSCO |
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Roberta Capello (2024-2026) Eveline Van Leeuwen (2020-2025) Lise Bourdeau-Lepage (2022-2025) |
Elizabeth Mack (2021-2026) Haifeng Qian (2024-2026) Sarah Low (2025-2027) |
Carlos Azzoni (2020-2025) Patricio Aroca (2020-2025) Fernando Perobelli (2024-2026) |
Kwon Park (2024-2026) Hidehiko Kanegae (2021-2026) Sumona Banerjee (2025-2027) |
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Councillors-at-large |
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André Chagas (2024-2026) Camilla Lenzi (2024-2026) Daniela Constantin (2020-2025) Katarzyna Kopczewska (2024-2026) Sébastien BourdinSébastien Bourdin (2025-2027) |
Elisabete Martins
Editor in Chief: Rosella Nicolini
Editor in Chief: Andrea Caragliu
The Regional Science Association International (RSAI), founded in 1954, is an international community of scholars interested in the regional impacts of national or global processes of economic and social change.