ABSTRACT
This chapter elaborates on the economic and regional development issues facing Wales, and focuses on the difficulties faced in closing the prosperity gap and ensuring a more even distribution of prosperity across Wales. The case study makes clear that while some successes can be claimed for regional development in Wales, other problems have persisted and remain prominently on the regional development agenda. The chapter extracts the most important lessons that the case study provides for wider regional development and spatial planning activity, and highlights the future challenges for Wales in the context of regional development. The story of Wales economic history and its economic and social circumstances make it difficult to be overtly optimistic on the immediate future prospects for Wales. In the case of regional development, it is a region that has been a long-standing recipient of regional development aid and assistance stretching back over few years.
