Transcript The position of secondary cities in a dynamic society

The position of secondary cities in a dynamic
society
Brussels – 6th October 2009
Prof. dr Leo van den Berg
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The Information Era
-
ICT and trade liberation
New location factors: attractiveness and accessibility
Cities are focal points in the knowledge economy
Cities are the powerhouses for modern economies
Cities are operating in networks
Competition between cities and regions; growing
social exclusion
- Policy: effective/efficient on all levels
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Top 10 cities in terms of GDP per capita in Europe
City
Country
Global Rank
Geneva
Switzerland
1
Edinburgh
UK
4
London
UK
6
Oslo
Norway
7
Belfast
UK
8
Basel
Switzerland
9
Zurich
Switzerland
10
Helsinki
Finland
11
Paris
France
12
Stockholm
Sweden
16
Source: N. Pengfei ‘Global Urban Competitiveness report’ GUCP, Beying, 2008
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The Knowledge Economy:
foundations and activities
A. Attracting
knowledge
workers
B. Creating
knowledge
C. Applying
knowledge
Activities of a
Knowledge city
D. Make new
combinations
Foundations of a
Knowledge city
Organising
capacity
1. Knowledge
base
4. Accessibility
E. Develop
Growth
clusters
2. Economic
base
5. Urban
diversity
3. Quality of
life
6. Urban
scale
7. Social
equity
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- Capital cities easily attract knowledge
workers
- Smaller (secondary or provincial) cities
lack many of the advantages of the
capitals but may offer other assets to
attract talent
- Cities with a traditonal economic base
(Rotterdam, Manchester, Dortmund) have
specific problems to attract talent, but also
specific strengths
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Typology of Cities
Metropolitan
Strong
Stars :
Amsterdam
Helsinki
Munich
Scale
Non-metropolitan
Star Nicheplayers :
Eindhoven
Progress
Weak
Metropoles in transition :
Rotterdam
Manchester
Dortmund
Intellectuals :
Munster
Nicheplayers in Transition :
Enschede
Aachen
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Trends in National Urban Policies in
Europe (1)
- Explicit attention to cities still limited, but on the
wax
- Nature of national urban policy dependant on
stage of development (basic requirements vs.
more sophisticated approaches)
- Advance comprehensive approach found in
France, United Kingdom and the Netherlands
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Trends in National Urban Policies in
Europe (2)
- Decentralization of competencies in most States
- More emphasis on urban competitiveness,
accessibility, social exclusion and sustainability
- Regional governance in discussion in several
states
- A shift from equity to efficiency policies in
favour of major cities in several countries
- In Nordic countries: less focus on major cities
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Dutch Experience (1)
- Dutch urban policy (GSB); an initiative of Amsterdam,
Rotterdam, the Hague and Utrecht
- GSB (1) : the pioneering phase (1994-1998)
- GSB (2) : the development phase (1998-2004)
more cities involved; higher budgets, special
legislation for 4 largest cities; special GSB
minister
- GSB (3) : the final phase ( 2004-2009)
policy freedom cities to solve problems and
use opportunities, lower budgets, more
policy focus; no GSB minister
- Other policies: spatial, transport, social, economic, EU
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Dutch Experience (2)
- Peaks in the delta (2006-2010)
- Creating a competitive and dynamic economy; a
regional economic approach through strategic
cooperation between national government,
regional government, private sector and
knowledge institutions
- Randstad North Wing: international services
- Randstad South Wing; Port and Industry,
Horticulture, Life sciences and the Hague
International
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Dutch Experience (3)
- Northern region :
-
Stimulating knowledge
economy
Eastern region :
Food and nutrition, Health
and Technology
Southeast region : Top technology region
Southwest region: Strategic region between
two world seaports
Programs and subsidies focus on regional
economic strength and opportunities
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-
Towards a new stage of urban development :
balanced, harmonious and sustainable
development
Quality of life and social values
Sustainable development and climate change
Safety and security, new location factors
The private sector and the city: converging
interests
The balanced city: attractive, sustainable and
accessible
New perspectives for secondary cities?
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