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The theoretical bases of urban competitiveness : does proximity matter ?

Author

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  • Ron Martin
  • James Simmie

Abstract

In this paper we seek to accomplish two main tasks. The first is to lay out the different theoretical approaches to understanding the concept of competitiveness as it applies at the spatial level of city regions. We provide a definition of what the concept means at this level. We then examine the different but sometimes overlapping theories that seek to explain what makes city regional economies competitive. These include export base, increasing returns, knowledge and innovation, cluster and cultural economy theories. The second task is to understand the roles of different concepts of proximity in these theories. Here we make a broad distinction between spatial nearness, organizational interactions and cultural proximity. We conclude that all three of these play significant roles in the competitiveness of city economies with the most competitive successfully combining geographically local assets with knowledge and information from other places.

Suggested Citation

  • Ron Martin & James Simmie, 2008. "The theoretical bases of urban competitiveness : does proximity matter ?," Revue d'économie régionale et urbaine, Armand Colin, vol. 0(3), pages 333-351.
  • Handle: RePEc:cai:rerarc:reru_083_0333
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    Citations

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    Cited by:

    1. Ghinami, Francesca, 2023. "Effects of remote work on population distribution across cities: US evidence from a QSE model," SocArXiv krnzq, Center for Open Science.
    2. Bremer, Björn & Di Carlo, Donato & Wansleben, Leon, 2021. "The constrained politics of local public investments under cooperative federalism," MPIfG Discussion Paper 21/4, Max Planck Institute for the Study of Societies.
    3. Brankica TODOROVIC, 2018. "New aspects of sustainable development as a factor of competitiveness in the EU," CES Working Papers, Centre for European Studies, Alexandru Ioan Cuza University, vol. 10(1), pages 27-48, April.
    4. Christophe Carrincazeaux & Frederic Gaschet, 2015. "Regional Innovation Systems and Economic Performance: Between Regions and Nations," European Planning Studies, Taylor & Francis Journals, vol. 23(2), pages 262-291, February.
    5. Ruxandra-Irina POPESCU & Ruxandra-Irina POPESCU & Ovidiu-Iulian BUNEA, 2018. "Influences on Urban Competitiveness Development from the Perspectives of Business and Local Authorities," REVISTA DE MANAGEMENT COMPARAT INTERNATIONAL/REVIEW OF INTERNATIONAL COMPARATIVE MANAGEMENT, Faculty of Management, Academy of Economic Studies, Bucharest, Romania, vol. 19(4), pages 359-371, October.
    6. Dorota Ciołek & Anna Golejewska & Adriana Zabłocka‐Abi Yaghi, 2022. "Innovation drivers in regions. Does urbanization matter?," Growth and Change, Wiley Blackwell, vol. 53(4), pages 1933-1960, December.

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