Evaluation of the Transport Infrastructures’ Contribution to Regional Development

Abstract

In the aftermath of the EU accession, transport infrastructures in Portugal were seen not only as symbol of modernity and a pre-condition for competitiveness, but also as a means (i) to promote territorial and social cohesion; (ii) ensure better access to economic activities; and increase the attractiveness of the territory. These objectives were followed by the several Community programming periods. With this scope, the paper analyses the contribution of investments in transport infrastructures (direct and indirect effects) to the regional development processes of two Portuguese regions: Algarve and Norte. A brief theoretical survey on the relationships between transports and regional development is also presented.