Editors

Tomaz Ponce Dentinho, - University of the Azores (This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.)

Gabriela Carmen Pascariu - Alexandru Ioan Cuza University

Introduction

Regional Science Policy and Practice aims to publish scientific papers that look into the interactions between people across space using sound replicable methods and showing effective evidence to support regional policies and aim sustainable development.

The journal Regional Science Policy and Practice wants to give Regional Scientists the chance to show innovative multidisciplinary work on the spatial effects of conflicts, with special attention if possible to the Middle East. Sustainable peace in the Middle East matters not only to the people of Israel, West Bank, Gaza, Lebanon, Syria, Egypt and Jordania, but also to the rest of the world.  Thus, RSPP welcomes researchers from the region, with work related to the region or with novel methodologies to assess the socioeconomic consequences or effects of conflict across space.

The Focus

Trying to understand the multiple causes of conflicts in the world (political, cultural, religious, historical, etc.), and in particular in the Middle East, analysing the role of regional and global powers in conflicts and evaluate their impact on regional development are not simple tasks of this Special Issue.

Nevertheless, RSPP also aims to use Regional Science methodologies to understand the impact of sustainable peace (or the lack of conflicts) on the regional development of an area, and if possible, focusing on the Middle East and providing an evidence-based knowledge to inform policy decisions and potential avenues for improvement.

The Expectations

Inspired by Walter Isard, the founder of the field of Regional Science, and his interest in Peace Science, this Special Issue of RSPP will combine techniques and methodologies of Regional Science with Peace Science topics such as conflict management, resolution and sustainable peace, with special focus on the Middle East.

This Special Session could include, among others, the following topics:

1. Impacts of conflicts/sustainable peace on the economic performance of the countries-regions along the last decades;
2. Conflicts/sustainable peace and the commuting and shopping behaviour (for instance using a spatial interaction urban model);
3. Social and spatial integration/disintegration processes;
4. Sustainable country borders;
5. Sustainable peace and rents allocation of natural and locational resources;
6. Sense of belonging;
7. Migration Flows and conflicts;
8. Cost Benefit Analysis of Peace/conflict;
9. Digital and AI challenges;
10. Impact on disparities (at regional and global levels) and on the UN’ Sustainable Development Goals

Manuscript submission information:

All submissions must be original and may not be under review elsewhere. All manuscripts will be submitted via the Regional Science Policy & Practice online submission system (https://www.editorialmanager.com/rspp/). Authors should indicate in the cover letter that the paper is submitted for consideration for publication in this special issue “Sustainability and regional challenges of GVC-dependent FDI development path”, otherwise, your submission will be handled as a regular manuscript.

• Submissions open until October 15, 2025