SELECTED THESES ON THE CIRCUMPOLAR ARCTIC

An important device for stimulating regional development is the growth pole or growth centre. It is widely recognised that benefits from implementing key growth industries can stimulate growth in other economic sectors. Conceptual extension of growth centre philosophy includes growth points.
This thesis attempted to contribute to a theory of growth points by examining four growth points in Greenland. The variables examined were types of investment, the effect of housing on labour force concentration, and the geography of government policies regarding raw material purchases.
Investment in direct productive facilities, economic, and social infrastructure were generally concentrated in towns. Housing programs were found to attract a labour force and affected settlements to a greater extent than villages. Analysis of a new raw materials purchasing policy revealed that it hastened relocation of fisherman or fish landings to growth points.
Sectoral employment in four growth points were found to have increased. Not all sectors increased at the regional rate. Heavy government transfer payments explain much of the increase in other employment sectors of the growth points. therefore, it cannot be stated that the basic industry has created the observed growth in other activities.
These findings reveal the importance of understanding the milieu as noted by Penouil. The methods used by the Danes and problems encountered in developing growth points in Greenland could be useful as planning levers in similar frontier regions.