ABSTRACT
The idea of regional learning and the intelligence of regions as the key mechanism for the understanding of regional development is in itself an innovative conceptual breakthrough of regional development theory. The genealogy of the concept goes back to the notions of industrial districts, clustering and system areas and it is also associated with the themes of innovation strategies, institutional thickness and the embededness of development. The existing literature makes a strong case for the potential of intelligent regions to compete effectively in markets, to adapt quickly to crises, to exploit new opportunities and to achieve convergence with the most successful areas.
