Connecting Cities with Macroeconomic Concerns
Connecting Cities with Macroeconomic Concerns

Author: Mila Freire

Publisher: World Bank Publications

Published: 2003-01-01

Total Pages: 140

ISBN-13: 9780821356739

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Current economic thinking argues that the ability of cities to create wealth depends on agglomeration economies, relating to the geographic concentration of industries and people which interact to create enterprise, employment and growth. This book finds that the quality of local services significantly influences the productivity and economic development of a city and the ability of firms to contribute to wealth. The study is based on surveys conducted in five cities: Belo Horizonte in Brazil, Montreal in Canada, Puebla in Mexico, San Josâ in Costa Rica and San Salvador in El Salvador.

Cities and Economic Change
Cities and Economic Change

Author: Ronan Paddison

Publisher: SAGE

Published: 2014-11-28

Total Pages: 321

ISBN-13: 1473908914

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"An invaluable text for all those interested in cities and economic change. Empirically grounded, theoretically informed, and written in a highly accessible way to help students understand processes underlying the changing urban economy, urban governance, and the role of place." - Lily Kong, National University of Singapore "Editors and contributors leave readers in no doubt about the extent of the transformations coursing through urban economies in the global north and south." - Kevin Ward, University of Manchester "An essential read for anyone interested in the role of cities in the changing global space economy." - James Faulconbridge, Lancaster University "A timely and path-breaking contribution to the urban literature. It stands out as an excellent addition to the expanding urban library and a key reference on urban issues." - George C.S. Lin, Hong Kong University Cities and Economic Change combines a sound theoretical grounding with an empirical overview of the urban economy. Specific references are made to key emergent processes and debates including splintered labour markets, informal economies, consumption, a comparative discussion of North and South, and quantitative aspects of globalization. The text is clear and accessible, with pedagogical features and illustrative case studies integrated throughout. The use of boxes for city examples, key questions for discussion at the end of main chapters together with suggested readings and key web sites are designed to aid learning and understanding.

OECD Territorial Reviews Competitive Cities in the Global Economy
OECD Territorial Reviews Competitive Cities in the Global Economy

Author: OECD

Publisher: OECD Publishing

Published: 2006-11-17

Total Pages: 451

ISBN-13: 9264027092

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A synthesis report drawing from OECD metropolitan reviews, this book shows large cities' performance within their countries and addresses key dilemmas including competitiveness and social cohesion, intergovernmental relationships and urban finance.

Financing Africa's Cities
Financing Africa's Cities

Author: Thierry Paulais

Publisher: World Bank Publications

Published: 2012-07-05

Total Pages: 378

ISBN-13: 0821389483

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This volume addresses the issues of financing urban growth of the African continent -- which has the highest urban growth rate on the planet -- in the next decades. Considerable investment will be needed to sustain this level of growth and to clear up accumulated backlogs. At the same time, decentralization has resulted in increased responsibilities for local government; but in most cases, institutional reforms were carried out without the transfer of a sufficient level of resources, and local capacities in governance and project management are weak. Which mechanisms will finance these extensive needs, and how will African local governments meet these needs? Specifics on how to finance African cities have not been studied. The actual scale of this market has not been fully grasped. A systemic approach to this market is difficult because of its diversity (country size; institutional context; characteristics of urban network; availability of capital market, currency, etc.) and a lack of data. Donors’ assistance methods in the sector are disparate, marked by disputes between different schools of thought; special-purpose vehicles created by donors operate according to a variety of methods and with wide-ranging and sparsely disseminated results. What is the best way to transform these systems, often antiquated in many respects, into modern financing systems that facilitate access to domestic markets, mobilize local savings and reinforce local government autonomy? There is no single answer to this question in regard to such a variety of institutional and economic contexts. The main objective of the study is to clarify the debates and to enlighten the choices of African decision-makers at local and national level.

The World Bank Research Program 2001
The World Bank Research Program 2001

Author: World Bank

Publisher: World Bank Publications

Published: 2001-01-01

Total Pages: 186

ISBN-13: 9780821350423

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This publication is a compilation of reports on research projects initiated, under way, or completed in fiscal year 2001 (July 1, 2000 through June 30, 2001). The abstracts cover 150 research projects from the World Bank and grouped under 11 major headings including poverty and social development, health and population, education, labor and employment, environment, infrastructure and urban development, and agriculture and rural development. The abstracts detail the questions addressed, the analytical methods used, the findings to date and their policy implications. Each abstract identifies the expected completion date of each project, the research team, and reports or publications produced.

Planning Cities for the Future
Planning Cities for the Future

Author: Peter Karl Kresl

Publisher: Edward Elgar Publishing

Published: 2007-01-01

Total Pages: 181

ISBN-13: 1847204333

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The book delivers an inspiring, first-hand insight into the state of urban competitiveness and how cities may make the best use of it. . . Kresl gives a well-informed insight into urban problems and related strategies, based on a carefully deployed comparative approach. Markus Hesse, Growth and Change This volume delves into issues overlooked in many texts about the EU and will be useful for courses in European and international studies and local government. Recommended. G.T. Potter, Choice Peter Kresl brings unique and invaluable empirical evidence, from the early 1990s through to 2005, to examine the relationship between urban competitiveness and economic-strategic planning for ten internationally networked cities within the EU. Planning Cities for the Future links the study of urban economic competitiveness with urban planning and is able to ascertain the crucial factors for success in this area of public policy. These factors include effective governance, leadership and monitoring of performance. The author also reveals how economic turbulence macro-economic stagnation, the emergence of competitors such as China and Central Europe and the introduction of the euro for example all have distinct impacts on the economic development of cities. He also suggests that today s economic strengths may create tomorrow s social pathologies, a fact which city planners must always keep in mind. Peter Kresl s book offers examples of cities that got it right and others that did not. Scholars and researchers interested in public sector economics, urban economic development and planning as well as city planners themselves will find much to interest and stimulate them in this book.

Beyond Smart Cities
Beyond Smart Cities

Author: Tim Campbell

Publisher: Routledge

Published: 2013-07-03

Total Pages: 244

ISBN-13: 1136489568

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The promise of competitiveness and economic growth in so-called smart cities is widely advertised in Europe and the US. The promise is focussed on global talent and knowledge economies and not on learning and innovation. But to really achieve smart cities – that is to create the conditions of continuous learning and innovation – this book argues that there is a need to understand what is below the surface and to examine the mechanisms which affect the way cities learn and then connect together. This book draws on quantitative and qualitative data with concrete case studies to show how networks already operating in cities are used to foster and strengthen connections in order to achieve breakthroughs in learning and innovation. Going beyond smart cities means understanding how cities construct, convert and manipulate relationships that grow in urban environments. Cities discussed in this book – Amman, Barcelona, Bilbao, Charlotte,Curitiba, Juarez, Portland, Seattle and Turin – illuminate a blind spot in the literature. Each of these cities has achieved important transformations, and learning has played a key role, one that has been largely ignored in academic circles and practice concerning competitiveness and innovation.

Can Latin America Compete?
Can Latin America Compete?

Author: J. Haar

Publisher: Springer

Published: 2008-01-21

Total Pages: 322

ISBN-13: 0230610471

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Can Latin America compete? Many argue that the macroeconomic and trade reforms of the 1990s merely put a handsome coat of paint over education, labour, judicial, and administrative reforms that remain incomplete. This book identifies ten factors that most influence the competitiveness of Latin American nations and will shape their economic futures.

Affordable Housing in the Urban Global South
Affordable Housing in the Urban Global South

Author: Jan Bredenoord

Publisher: Routledge

Published: 2014-06-05

Total Pages: 439

ISBN-13: 1317910168

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The global increase in the number of slums calls for policies which improve the conditions of the urban poor, sustainably. This volume provides an extensive overview of current housing policies in Asia, Africa and Latin America and presents the facts and trends of recent housing policies. The chapters provide ideas and tools for pro-poor interventions with respect to the provision of land for housing, building materials, labour, participation and finance. The book looks at the role of the various stakeholders involved in such interventions, including national and local governments, private sector organisations, NGOs and Community-based Organisations.