URBAN AND REGIONAL ECONOMICS

Space-time Contraction and the Dynamics of Urban Systems La contraction espace-temps et les dynamiques des systèmes urbainsAnne Bretagnolle, Denise Pumain et Céline RozenblatRésumé | Index | Plan | Texte | Bibliographie | Illustrations | Citation | AuteursRésumé An attempt is made to identify the dynamics of urban systems during the historical process of their evolution. An illustration is made with the case of European cities between 1200 and 1990, using harmonised historical data bases. Simple maps show first a general expansion in cities number and size over time, reflecting the ability of the system to continuously adapt its structure over time. A second trend is an increased hierarchisation in city size, which may be related to the continuous improvement in the speed and capacity of transportation means. Because of this space-time contraction, large cities short-circuit small towns, and inequalities in city size are widening. A third trend leading to a spatial reorganisation, emerges from maps of the urban population potentials. Among all possible mathematical equations and parameters values which could describe the intensity and the spatial range of interactions between cities, we choose those which give rather stable results and which are compatible with the analysis of urban historians, as De Vries, Braudel, Bairoch, Hohenberg and Lees, for the centuries preceding industrial revolution, by using evaluations of distances in terms of time and cost. Urban systems dynamics is better approached with reference to this relative space than on usual topographic maps.Haut de pageEntrées d'index

Meeting ThemeThroughout history the economic growth, decline, and resurgence of urban centers has been variously affected by political developments. The morphology of cities has followed ideological ideas about the role and function of urban centers, often consciously put into place by local, state, and colonial leaders. This annual meeting will explore the impacts of the political economy underlying the growth and development of cities on the lived experiences of urbanites. How do these policies affect the ability of city residents to earn reasonable livings? How do they facilitate or discourage the creation of local structures to create meaningful lives? How does the environmental impact of dense urban populations restrain or modulate city growth? We are especially interested in the ways that various political economies encourage or discourage the movement of specific urban groups. In deep history, political leaders increased urban populations by encouraging artisans and traders to establish themselves locally and increasing labor availability through practices like slavery. They created neighborhoods with specific functions and purposes, many of which were associated with particular ethnic groups. In more recent history, governments created ghettos or ethnic enclaves within urban centers and discouraged city growth through tools such as urban residence permits. Today, political instruments such as zoning regulations, planned development initiatives, and slum rehabilitation programs all constrain or mediate economic activities and population movements into and within urban centers. These topics have been studied in various ways by archaeologists, socio-cultural anthropologists, and economists. Thus, economic anthropology offers a valuable perspective to understand these issues as the discipline is concerned with the interplay of urbanism, political economy, cultural identity, social change, and development within past and present local contexts. Among the issues t

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2011 Urban Environmental Accords Summit Focuses on Green Cities 13 October 2011: UN Secretary-General Ban Ki-Moon and UN Environment Programme (UNEP) Deputy Executive Director Amina Mohamed addressed the 2011 Urban Environmental Accords (UEA) Gwangju Summit, which convened under the theme of "Green Cities, Better Cities." Ban told the Summit that the experience of cities "can provide valuable input to the "Rio+20 discourse and outcomes," highlighting the opportunity to "scale up transformations already under way" to catalyze a development path that is sustainable. Mohamed underscored that green economy and sustainable development, through "resource efficiency and sustainable consumption and production" are achievable goals. She outlined challenges for cities including, unsustainable resource and energy consumption, carbon emissions, pollution, and health hazards. But said cities also provided opportunities as they house "hope and innovation," are the focal points of the economy. Reflecting on the need to enable green cities, Mohamed called for policy frameworks at all levels of government, as well as new finance mechanisms and incentives. She urged policy makers to ensure that there are "synergies which simultaneously promote sustainable consumption and production patterns, deliver economic prosperity and reduce resource intensity, while promoting social inclusion." Looking torward the UN Conference on Sustainable Development (UNCSD, or Rio+20), Mohamed indicated that UNEP would be looking for more adequate ways and means for strengthening cooperation and building partnerships with national and local governments to deliver the needed transformative change. The Summit is convening in Gwangju, Republic of Korea, from 12-13 October 2011. [UNEP Press Release, 12 October 2011] [UN Secretary-General's Speech] [UNEP Press Release, 13 October 2011]

Brands And Branding Geographies Andy Pike Edited by Andy Pike, Centre for Urban and Regional Development Studies (CURDS), Newcastle University, UK October 2011 384 pp Hardback 978 1 84980 159 1 Hardback $150.00 on-line price $135.00 Qty This book is also available as an ebook  978 0 85793 084 2 from - www.myilibrary www.ebooks.com www.ebookscorporation.com www.dawsonera.com www.ebrary.com/corp/ www.books.google.com/ebooks Description 'An important effort to pull together multidisciplinary research on the spatial dimensions of brands and branding in an international context.' - John A. Quelch, Harvard Business School, US Contents Contributors: S. Anholt, A. Arvidsson, D. Bennison, U. Ermann, H. Halkier, A. Harris, A. Hauge, P. Jackson, J. Jansson, G. Julier, B. Kubartz, N. Lewis, C. Lury, D. Medway, L. Moor, N. Papadopoulos, C. Pasquinelli, A. Pike, D. Power, P. Russell, N.-L. Sum, A. Therkelsen, N. Ward, G. Warnaby Futher information 'An incomparably rich trove of work on the multifarious and contradictory "entanglements" between space, place, and brand. The volume helps us understand how and why "places of origin" play an ever greater role in the marketing of commodities, even while corporations continue to seek "placelessness" in pursuit of the bottom line. And it illuminates how and why entrepreneurial governments seeking to enhance global competitiveness increasingly turn to place branding - at the neighborhood, urban, and national scale - even while launching rounds of restructuring that undercut the authenticity and viability of local identities. A valuable and accessible contribution to the urban studies and cultural studies literature.' - Miriam Greenberg, University of California, Santa Cruz, US 'An important effort to pull together multidisciplinary research on the spatial dimensions of brands and branding in an international context.' - John A. Quelch, Harvard Business School, US Despite overstated claims of t

Regional analysis and the new international division of labor: applications of a political economy approach Frank Moulaert, Patricia Ann Wilson 0 Resenhas Kluwer-Nijhoff Pub., 1983

Social innovation and territorial development Diana MacCallum, Frank Moulaert 0 Resenhas Ashgate, 2009 - 172 páginas Over the past twenty years, regional development and urban regeneration strategies have traditionally centred on the economic: economic strategies to make regions and cities more market-feasible and competitive; physical renewal strategies to strengthen the economic basis of territories; and institutional transformations. However, the economy may be regarded in a more societal way, as a set of social practices, ranging from the everyday of family and community life to norms of consumption and social regulation of work habits and professional practice.The concept of social innovation offers an alternative perspective on development and regional transformation which puts forward innovation in social relations. Multi-disciplinary and global in approach, this volume presents a comprehensive and insightful exploration of social innovation and how it affects life, society and economy, especially, but not exclusively, at the local and regional level. It addresses key questions about the nature of social innovation as a process and a strategy and what opportunities may exist, and may be generated, for social innovation to nourish human development. It puts forward alternative options which highlight issues of solidarity, co-operation and economic, human and cultural diversity, situated outside and in combination with the market, within or outside cultural-artistic arenas, and at various spatial scales of social empowerment. In doing so, this book offers a provocative response to the predominant neoliberal economic vision of spatial, economic and social change.

Strategic spatial projects: catalysts for change Stijn Oosterlynck, Louis Albrechts, Frank Moulaert 0 Resenhas Taylor & Francis, 2010 - 256 páginas This book presents four years of case study research and theoretical discussions on strategic spatial projects in Europe and North America. It takes the position that planning is not well equipped to take on its current challenges if it is considered as only a regulatory and administrative activity. There is an urgent need to develop a mode of planning that aims to innovate in spatial as well as social terms. This timely, important book is for spatial planning, urban design and community development and policy studies courses. For academics, researchers and students in planning, urban design, urban studies, human and economic geography, public administration and policy studies

Malecki E. J. Global knowledge and creativity: new challenges for firms and regions, Regional Studies. As companies locate research and development in more places, they seek to tap knowledge in new, open ways, to respond to diverse customer demand and short product life cycles. The globalization of research and development has added costs as firms communicate across national, cultural, and linguistic boundaries, using both information and communication technology networks and face-to-face interaction. Intermediaries in knowledge transfer, such as knowledge brokers and gatekeepers, have become more important as new nodes join the global system of knowledge. As firms respond to the knowledge-based global economy, each region must construct a 'knowledge monopoly' to stand out in the global landscape of capabilities

History of regional science and the Regional Science Association International: the beginnings and early history Walter Isard 0 Resenhas Springer, 2003 - 267 páginas The book portrays how a new unique social science field of study evolved and describes the formation of a society associated with the field. It starts with the rise of Hitler, the advent of the Keynesian Revolution, the intense mathematization of economics and relates how an individual's creative thinking, later supplemented by that of others, was able to effectively combat the strong resistance of conventional social sciences-economics and geography in particular to attain full scale recognition as a basic social science area covering the sorely neglected theoretical and related applied analysis of spatial, locational and regional phenomena. It depicts the first stage of development in North America, then because of demonstrated applied findings on problems where only theory and just talk existed in economics and geography, spread rapidly into Europe, Japan, India, Australia, South Korea and Latin America, and recently into Indonesia and China and elsewhere. It has become today, in the mind of the founder and author, to be among the leading areas of study (if not the leading one) in attacking the globalization problems -economic, political and cultural- of the world economy and its major regions.

reative regions: technology, culture and knowledge entrepreneurship Philip N. Cooke, Dafnah Schwartz 0 Resenhas Routledge, 2007 - 294 páginas This unique book focuses on regional creativity, analysing the different factors that can affect creativity and innovation process within regions in the knowledge economy. Approaching creativity from technological, organizational and regional viewpoints, it attempts to break down the influence of oppositional approaches and take account of multi-level interactions in economy and policy. The variety of papers presented looks at: how regions can be creative and competitive how research and development is outsourced and the scientific knowledge and technology transferred what types of technology based cultural activities can operate the relevant financing and development of knowledge entrepreneurship. Whilst many of these aspects are driven by market forces Creative Regions demonstrates that the regional and national public sectors have a significant role to play and is essential reading on how to generate a competitive advantage for regions in the knowledge economy in the global market.

Regional competitiveness Ron Martin, Michael Kitson, Peter Tyler 0 Resenhas Routledge, 2006 - 169 páginas There is now a wide spread interest in regions as a key focus in the organization and governance of economic growth and wealth creation. This important book considers the factors that influence and shape the competitive performance of regions. This is not just an issue of academic interest and debate, but also of increasing policy deliberation and action. However, as the readings in this book make clear, the very idea of regional competitiveness is itself complex and contentious. Many academics and policy makers have used the concept without fully considering what is meant by the term and how it can be measured. Policy formulation has tended to rush ahead of understanding and analysis and the purpose of this book is to close this important gap in understanding. This book was previously published as a special issue of Regional Studies.

Critical reflections on regional competitiveness: theory, policy and practice Gillian Bristow 0 Resenhas Routledge, 2010 - 186 páginas Since the early 1990s, governments and development agencies have become increasingly preoccupied with the pursuit of regional competitiveness. However, there is considerable confusion around what exactly regional competitiveness means, how it might be achieved, whether and how it can be measured, and whether it is a meaningful and appropriate goal for regional economies. The central aim of this book is to provide a comprehensive and critical account of these debates with reference to theory, policy and practice, and thus to explore the meaning and value of the concept of regional competitiveness.The book is structured into three parts. Part one introduces the concept of regional competitiveness by tracing its origins and exploring its different meanings in regional economic development. This will critically engage with political economy approaches to understanding the nature and dominance of the competitiveness discourse. Part two interrogates the pursuit of regional competitiveness in policy and practice. This critically evaluates the degree to which the pursuit of competitiveness is encouraging convergence in policy agendas in regions through an examination of key determinants of policy sameness and difference, notably benchmarking and devolved governance. Part three explores the limitations to regional competitiveness and explores whether and how its predominance in the policy discourse might be challenged by alternative agendas such as sustainable development and wellbeing. This focuses on the developing qualitative character of regional development.This volume critically engages with the theory and policy of regional competitiveness, thus providing the first integrated critique of the concept for undergraduate and postgraduate students, as well as academics interested in regional development and policy. It will unpack the co

Urban Environmental Pollution Creating Healthy, Liveable Cities People all over the world are migrating to cities in search of jobs and cultural advantages, especially in Asia. This has resulted in the formation of huge megapolitan areas and surrounding periurban environs. In China, a 40 million urban area is planned. The effects of cities on people are not well-understood. Cities require huge amounts of energy, resulting in large quantities of waste products, causing unsustainable environments. Cities are sources of air, water and soil pollution. Light and noise pollution are now known to adversely affect urban people. The role of urban heat islands and air pollution, Pm 2.5 and ozone, on human health is beginning to emerge. Lack of green space may have psychological effects for urban dwellers. We began to explore the nature of the urban environment and pollution on human health and well-being at UEP2010 in Boston in June of 2010. This very successful conference identified many areas of urban life that warranted further investigation. UEP2012 aims to pick up where UEP2010 left off and continue the exploration of the urban environment and how we can begin to create a healthy and liveable environment in cities. Topics List New information about urban environments and how they function Pollution problems and possible solutions Role of the built environment in alleviating heat islands Human health problems and solutions Role of vegetation in mitigating urban pollution and human health problems Innovative methods for alleviation of urban stress problems Submit abstract here

Book Reviews City and Environment by Christopher G. Boone and Ali Modarres (pages 131-132) Carla Chifos Article first published online: 5 FEB 2010 | DOI: 10.1111/j.1467-9906.2009.00487.x AbstractFull Article (HTML)PDF(110K)Request Permissions The Code of the City: Standards and the Hidden Language of Place Making by Eran Ben-Joseph (pages 132-134) Dennis M. Ryan Article first published online: 5 FEB 2010 | DOI: 10.1111/j.1467-9906.2009.00488.x AbstractFull Article (HTML)PDF(110K)Request Permissions The University and Urban Revival: Out of the Ivory Tower and Into the Streets by Judith Rodin (pages 134-137) David C. Perry Article first published online: 5 FEB 2010 | DOI: 10.1111/j.1467-9906.2009.00489.x AbstractFull Article (HTML)PDF(110K)ReferencesRequest Permissions Cities in a Time of Terror: Space, Territory, and Local Resilience by H.V. Savitch (pages 137-139) Luther Krueger Article first published online: 5 FEB 2010 | DOI: 10.1111/j.1467-9906.2009.00490.x AbstractFull Article (HTML)PDF(110K)Request Permissions The Sustainable Development Paradox: Urban Political Economy in the United States and Europe edited by Rob Kruger and David Gibbs (pages 139-141) Li Alligood Article first published online: 5 FEB 2010 | DOI: 10.1111/j.1467-9906.2009.00491.x AbstractFull Article (HTML)PDF(110K)Request Permissions