1 The position of secondary cities in a dynamic society Prof. dr Leo van den Berg Brussels – 6 th October 2009

2 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

3 Top 10 cities in terms of GDP per capita in Europe CityCountryGlobal Rank GenevaSwitzerland1 EdinburghUK4 LondonUK6 OsloNorway7 BelfastUK8 BaselSwitzerland9 ZurichSwitzerland10 HelsinkiFinland11 ParisFrance12 StockholmSweden16 Source: N. Pengfei Global Urban Competitiveness report GUCP, Beying, 2008

4 The Knowledge Economy: foundations and activities

5 -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

6 Stars : Amsterdam Helsinki Munich Star Nicheplayers : Eindhoven Typology of Cities Scale MetropolitanNon-metropolitan Strong Progress Weak Intellectuals : Munster Nicheplayers in Transition : Enschede Aachen Metropoles in transition : Rotterdam Manchester Dortmund

7 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

8 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

9 Dutch Experience (1) -Dutch urban policy (GSB); an initiative of Amsterdam, Rotterdam, the Hague and Utrecht -GSB (1) : the pioneering phase ( ) -GSB (2) : the development phase ( ) more cities involved; higher budgets, special legislation for 4 largest cities; special GSB minister -GSB (3) : the final phase ( ) policy freedom cities to solve problems and use opportunities, lower budgets, more policy focus; no GSB minister -Other policies: spatial, transport, social, economic, EU

10 Dutch Experience (2) -Peaks in the delta ( ) -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

11 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

12 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?