Second Rank Cities in Europe

Structural Dynamics and Growth Potential

Nonfiction, Science & Nature, Science, Earth Sciences, Geography, Social & Cultural Studies, Social Science, Human Geography
Cover of the book Second Rank Cities in Europe by , Taylor and Francis
View on Amazon View on AbeBooks View on Kobo View on B.Depository View on eBay View on Walmart
Author: ISBN: 9781317361060
Publisher: Taylor and Francis Publication: October 2, 2017
Imprint: Routledge Language: English
Author:
ISBN: 9781317361060
Publisher: Taylor and Francis
Publication: October 2, 2017
Imprint: Routledge
Language: English

Second-rank cities are back on the academic scene, capturing the interest of scholars with their unexpected recent performance with respect to first-rank cities. Looking at the data on average urban GDP growth in 139 European cities since 1996, the relatively strong position of large cities (over 1.5 million inhabitants) on national growth coincides with the periods of fastest expansion, while at times of slowdown second-rank cities prevail. Especially in the recent period of economic downturn, second-rank cities have recorded annual GDP growth rates much less negative than those of capital cities; and in some European countries, like Austria and Germany, all cities have outperformed their capitals.

In explaining this phenomenon, linking urban dynamics to agglomeration theories seems the most interesting approach. However, merely to link agglomeration economies to urban size in order to interpret urban performance is neither convincing nor sufficient, and it calls for additional investigation into how agglomeration economies work. This volume claims that interpretation of the current dynamics in European urban systems – especially in the western part of Europe – would benefit from exploitation of the traditional concept of agglomeration economies. However, necessary for this purpose are more in-depth considerations on the nature, scope, intensity, and causes of agglomeration economies which do not relate their existence solely to urban size. And this is where the main challenge for scholars lies, in the interpretation of the missing link between agglomeration economies and urban dynamics. This book was originally published as a special issue of European Planning Studies.

View on Amazon View on AbeBooks View on Kobo View on B.Depository View on eBay View on Walmart

Second-rank cities are back on the academic scene, capturing the interest of scholars with their unexpected recent performance with respect to first-rank cities. Looking at the data on average urban GDP growth in 139 European cities since 1996, the relatively strong position of large cities (over 1.5 million inhabitants) on national growth coincides with the periods of fastest expansion, while at times of slowdown second-rank cities prevail. Especially in the recent period of economic downturn, second-rank cities have recorded annual GDP growth rates much less negative than those of capital cities; and in some European countries, like Austria and Germany, all cities have outperformed their capitals.

In explaining this phenomenon, linking urban dynamics to agglomeration theories seems the most interesting approach. However, merely to link agglomeration economies to urban size in order to interpret urban performance is neither convincing nor sufficient, and it calls for additional investigation into how agglomeration economies work. This volume claims that interpretation of the current dynamics in European urban systems – especially in the western part of Europe – would benefit from exploitation of the traditional concept of agglomeration economies. However, necessary for this purpose are more in-depth considerations on the nature, scope, intensity, and causes of agglomeration economies which do not relate their existence solely to urban size. And this is where the main challenge for scholars lies, in the interpretation of the missing link between agglomeration economies and urban dynamics. This book was originally published as a special issue of European Planning Studies.

More books from Taylor and Francis

Cover of the book Customer Relationship Management in Electronic Markets by
Cover of the book The Theory of Marginal Value by
Cover of the book Social Dreaming @ Work by
Cover of the book Systems Thinking for Harassed Managers by
Cover of the book Critical Discourse Analysis by
Cover of the book Shakespeare and the Young Writer by
Cover of the book The Urban Design Reader by
Cover of the book Merlin by
Cover of the book Unemployment in Britain Between the Wars by
Cover of the book New Security Issues in Northern Europe by
Cover of the book Invisible Connections by
Cover of the book British Boarding Houses in Interwar Women's Literature by
Cover of the book Queering the Non/Human by
Cover of the book The Strehlow Archive: Explorations in Old and New Media by
Cover of the book Critical Pedagogies of Consumption by
We use our own "cookies" and third party cookies to improve services and to see statistical information. By using this website, you agree to our Privacy Policy