Archive for the 'Innovative Cities & Regions' Category

Xeriscaping and novel city designs

xeriscaping.jpgAs a result of a severe water shortage in Nevada, officials are promoting dry landscaping or “xeriscaping” to residents. The term comes from the greek word “xeros” which means dry. Xeriscaping is designing with the idea of using less water. Continue reading…

The importance of Place in the age of Creative Economy

Who’s Your City book coverRichard Florida, in his latest book entitled “Who’s Your City?” handled the subject of how the Creative Economy is making the place where someone lives the most important decision of his life. According to Richard Florida place is now more important than ever. He disagrees with the common argument of the age of globalization according to that where you live don’t matter: you can telecommute with everyone; you can innovate from everywhere. Continue reading…

The 2008 Silicon Valley Index

The 2008 Silicon Valley IndexSilicon Valley experienced a sixth consecutive year of productivity gains in 2007 that surpassed previous highs from the dot com boom, but the growth spurt is offset by economic instability, according to the 2008 Silicon Valley Index released by Joint Venture: Silicon Valley Network and Silicon Valley Community Foundation. The Index, published annually since 1995, measures the strength of the region’s economy and the health of the community. Continue reading…

Making Innovative Places

nesta.gifThe first NESTA Summit - Making Innovative Places - highlighted four major pieces of research including: a final report on ‘Innovation in UK Cities’, a final report on ‘Regional leadership for innovation’, a compilation of essays on ‘Rural innovation’ and an Interim report on ‘Path dependency and innovation’. Continue reading…

The 30 Fastest Cities To Work, Live, and Play

The 30 Fastest Cities To Work, Live, and PlayFast Company magazine has selected 30 urban centers that are shaping our future. The list includes creative-class meccas, R&D hot spots, even cities so fast they’re scary. It calls them Fast Cities. They are cauldrons of creativity where the most important ideas and the organizations of tomorrow are centered. They attract the best and brightest. They are great places to work and live. Continue reading…

European Cities 2007

eu-cities-2007-report.jpgBased on data from the Urban Audit, the 2007 report on the ‘State of European Cities’ examines four major themes.

Growth and Stagnation of Europe’s Cities (Expanding or contracting? what factors lie behind the expansion and contraction of Europe’s cities; which cities in Europe are growing and which are stagnating). Continue reading…

Worldwide Centers of Commerce

Worldwide Centers of CommerceThe new MasterCard Worldwide Centers of Commerce Index is a multi-year research project that provides insights into the evolving global marketplace. The research provides a ranking and analysis of the top 50 cities around the world that drive global commerce. Continue reading…

The World is Spiked

The world is spiked - Click to enlargeThe 2007 Index of Silicon Valley introduces the idea that “The World is Spiked” meaning that although the global competitive field is “flattening”1 regions still vary by their relative strengths and weaknesses from which regional specializations and comparative advantage emerge—creating “spikes” in a flat world. Continue reading…

RegioStars 2008 – The Awards for Regional Innovative Projects

EU starsRegioStars - The Awards for Innovative Projects - form part of the “enhanced communication effort” proposed in the Communication on Regions for Economic Change (COM(2006) 675). The Communication states that “Integral to the communication policy of Regions for Economic Change Continue reading…

Cohesion Policy and Cities

cohesion-and-cities.jpgCohesion Policy and cities: The urban contribution to growth and jobs in the regions, is the latest Communication of the European Commission to the Council and Parliament on urban policy. The document sets out the Strategic Guidelines where it would be appropriate to give a priority to the preparation of Operational programmes for Cohesion Policy for 2007-2013. Continue reading…