Andrés Rodríguez-Pose: Why Place Still Matters in an Unequal World

The Century of Cities welcomes Andrés Rodríguez-Pose, Professor of Economic Geography and Regional Planning, to examine deep spatial inequalities shaping politics, prosperity, and trust in institutions across the world. Drawing on decades of research, Andrés explains how economic growth has become increasingly concentrated in a small number of cities and regions, while many places have been systematically left behind, creating what he describes as the "geography of discontent." He explores how neglecting these regions has fueled political polarization, social fragmentation, and rising distrust in democratic systems. Andrés challenges the assumption that growth alone will solve spatial inequality. He argues for place-sensitive policies that recognize the unique assets, constraints, and identities of different regions rather than one-size-fits-all solutions. From rethinking innovation policy to rebuilding local capacity and dignity, Andrés makes a compelling case that the future of cities, regions, and democracy itself depends on addressing territorial inequality head-on, and doing so with long-term commitment rather than short-term fixes.