Economic preconditions of Austrian cities and regions changed considerably in the 1990s. The lecture deals with essential research questions in this context. We introduce essential theories and methods in urban and regional economics relevant for the topics discussed and demonstrate their use in empirical research on Austrian regions. The lecture concentrates on empirical analysis and the interpretation of their results. Basic knowledge on location theories and theories of regional development are therefore expected.

I. Sectoral and functional specialisation in the Austrian regional system 1. Structural characteristics of Austrian regions: The case for regionally differentiated policies 2. Competition of cities: Vienna's role in the European urban system 3. What about the periphery? Rural areas and international competitiveness II. Austrian cities and regions in EU integration 1. EU enlargement: theoretical perspectives 2. Winners and losers of eastern integration at the sectoral and regional level 3. Spatial effects of economic integration: regional growth pattern in transition? III. Regional labour markets in a new economic environment 1. New labour market mechanisms and job characteristics in the 1990s: the case of Vienna 2. Labour market effects of EU integration: What about migration in EU enlargement?

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