Regional Economic Analysis with Location Quotients and Multipliers

Understanding what drives a local economy is crucial for urban planners, economic developers, and regional analysts. This course introduces the foundational tools of regional economic analysis, helping you determine which industries bring wealth into a community and which ones serve local needs. You will transition from having a basic interest in local economies to confidently applying quantitative methods that measure economic health and predict future growth. By studying these techniques, you will learn how to identify a region's economic strengths and forecast the impact of industry changes.\n\nWhat you'll learn:\n- Understand the core concepts of basic and nonbasic economic sectors\n- Calculate location quotients to identify a region's export-oriented industries\n- Compute the economic-base multiplier to forecast regional employment growth\n- Compare different estimation techniques, including the assumption, survey, and minimum-requirements methods\n- Practice analyzing regional economic data using modern open-source datasets and structured analysis workflows\n- Apply these quantitative models to real-world urban planning and economic development scenarios\n\nThe course begins with essential terminology and the theory of economic base analysis. You will then progress through step-by-step written explanations and practical calculations for each estimation method, culminating in a comprehensive framework for regional forecasting. This text-only course is designed for beginners in urban planning, economic development, and regional studies, with no advanced mathematical background or prior economics experience required. Start reading today to master the core quantitative tools of regional economic analysis.