The city and the mountains: where to build (or close) a university

Abstract

The depopulation of eastern Portugal and concentration along the coast is the subject of a longstanding debate that includes the virtues of living in smaller cities rather than in large ones. While the latter is an on-going debate, the depopulation from the east is a fact. It is also a fact that Higher Education Institutions (HEIs) closer to the coast tend to be in higher demand than those further away. This has raised a debate about whether to concentrate resources for the expansion of HEIs under greater pressure by demand or to reduce those with a low number of enrolments. The economic concepts are sometimes unclear. By looking at this issue through the regional development lens, a HEI is important not only to maintain the aggregate demand, but mainly to contribute to the increase in innovation as well as regional competitiveness in the long term. This article aims to analyse these issues and indicate some important points to be taken into consideration by decision-makers.

Key-words:
Higher education; Regional development; Regional impact of universities