Re-defining the Regional Economic Development Framework through the Integration of Economic Development and Strategic Foresight Practices

The under-performance of regional development in Australia requires a new way of thinking to produce significant change. Futures frameworks can produce this transformation. The research investigated such capacity. It adopted a systems approach and a multi-perspective view within a futures framework formed the basis of the work. It involved a general approach which was compared and contrasted with the outcomes from a particular region. The outcomes show that futures frameworks have the capacity to transform economic development in many ways and this research offers a way to enhance the contribution to regional socio-economic well-being from economic development.