This title was first published in 2001. Analyzing and comparing several growth clusters in nine European cities, this compelling volume examines the critical success factors that determine the economic development of urban regions.

City and Enterprise

by Erik Braun and Leo Van de Berg

Published 24 October 2003
This title was first published in 2003. While in the past, corporate community involvement was mainly considered a form of philanthropy, nowadays the argument is gaining credit that corporate community involvement is not only a matter of ethics, but also of self-interest. As companies recognize their interest in the welfare of the city, they may become inclined to invest in some way in that city's welfare. Assuming that the interests of public and private stakeholders tend to converge as companies become aware of their interest in an attractive environment, then corporate community involvement may bring along a new type of public-private partnership, as an instrument of urban regeneration. Bringing together comparative case studies from Amsterdam, Chicago, Leeds, London, Munich, New York, Seattle, St. Louis and The Hague, this considers the potential implications of corporate community involvement for the sustainable development of cities and the creation of cross-sector partnerships. It analyses the involvement of companies in urban challenges in the fields of education, employment, safety, affordable housing and the living environment. It also looks at the efforts made to establish strategic partnership between "enlightened" corporations and public authorities. The book reveals that "pro-active" firms attach much value to investments in their "urban environment" as part of their corporate strategy. But it also shows that cities do not yet take full advantage of these arising opportunities.

In our increasingly global and commercial world, where once sport would only have been seen by a few thousand on the terraces it is now watched by many millions via satellite. This mass global audience is invited not only to watch the sporting event, but also to visit the city where it takes place. Such events may help promote the host city as a tourist destination and business location. City governors are becoming increasingly aware of the possibilities of using sport as an instrument of reaching objectives of urban management. This engaging book investigates the state of the art of sports and city marketing in five European cities: Rotterdam, Barcelona, Helsinki, Manchester and Turin. In each of these cities, the book examines how sports (accommodations, clubs and events) have been made an instrument of city marketing and how the cities have attempted to maximize their potential through sports and city marketing policies. A comparison of the findings highlights the merits or disadvantages of sports clusters and strategic co-operation in sports and city marketing.

Industrial tourism presents opportunities, both in terms of income and as a tool of management, for individual firms who open their doors - and consequently their local regions - to the public. But how can these opportunities be organised in a way that enables both the city and the enterprise to take advantage? This book analyzes the conditions for successful industrial tourism development using case studies of Wolfsburg, Cologne, Pays de la Loire, Turin, Shanghai and Rotterdam, and makes astute recommendations for cities and companies with ambitions in this field.

The Student City

by Leo van den Berg and Antonio Russo

Published 28 September 2004
Student communities are without doubt a strategic resource for urban development and students are the citizens and the high-skilled working class of tomorrow. They are seen as an 'invisible population' with little say in local policy and decision-making. Co-operation between educational institutions and city planners is often missing and cities tend to neglect the universities' foreign relations. This volume argues that the importance of human capital in the competitiveness of cities demands pro-active, integral city policies targeting this community. Bringing together nine case studies of European cities (Rotterdam, Utrecht, Eindhoven, Munich, Lyon, Lille, Venice, Birmingham and Helsinki), it puts forward a comprehensive strategic plan of action, aiming at the integration of student communities in urban development. The book analyses the essential characteristics of the relationship between students and their host communities, as well as the role of higher education institutions and other actors in building the 'student friendly' city.

Stimulated by European integration, the need for high-grade transport connections among the major European cities is growing. Coinciding with their reurbanization efforts, the authors argue that the HST is eminently suitable to fill that need, since it connects urban centres and is relatively environment friendly. This comparative investigation in 14 European cities sets out to analyze how the HST can make an optimum contribution to the development of urban regimes.

Urban Tourism

by Leo van den Berg and etc.

Published 11 July 1995
This work is based on the results of a comparative investigation into the role and function of tourism (and tourist policy) in eight European cities. Most are new in the tourist market (eg, Antwerp, Glasgow), although nowadays tourism (leisure/business) is a spearhead of their policy.

Governing Metropolitan Regions

by Leo van den Berg and etc.

Published 30 September 1993
This work aims to respond to the discussion of the problem of achieving efficient metropolitan government in a competitive climate by analyzing the attempts of several European urban regions - Antwerp, Birmingham, Frankfurt, Lille, Lisbon, Strasbourg and Valencia - to meet that need.

Published in 1997. The environment of cities has become increasingly competitive. Tradition location factors, that once tied economic activities firmly to particular areas have become less important. Increasingly the ability of a city to anticipate, respond to and cope with internal and external changes is getting attention. Organizing capacity of cities, or of metropolitan regions is becoming indispensible for sustainable economic and social development. The authors have carried out investigations into eight European cities to increase the insight into the practice of organizing capacity. The analysis of the development and implementation of 15 revitalization projects in these cities shows that organizing capacity calls for a new style of entrepreneurial urban management with public and private networking, leadership, long term strategies and organizing political and public support as key concepts.