EUKN - European Urban Knowledge Network

The attractive city

Introduction

Nowadays, cities are being increasingly compelled to invest in their ability to attract residents, businesses and visitors in order to secure their competitive positions. The experiences of cities that have succeeded in increasing their attraction can be informative for managers of municipalities and businesses. An international comparative study is consequently an appropriate means to learn the do’s and don’ts of investing in "the attractive city".

Description

In what ways have Birmingham, Lisbon and Rotterdam invested in their attractiveness?

The ways in which Birmingham, Lisbon and Rotterdam have invested in their attractiveness was studied. After all, people attach increasingly more importance to a clean and safe environment, the proximity of high-quality facilities and a balanced social structure. Because businesses base their choice of location partly on the size and quality of the labour market, their attitudes to locations are also partly influenced the quality of the living environment.

Conclusions

Quality, diversity and transport infrastructure all contribute towards the success of investments.
Quality is manifested in accommodations, layout of public spaces and, among other things, new building projects.
Diversity is manifested in the promotion of functional diversity – having activity day and night - combined with specialisation.
The transport purpose is manifested in investments in infrastructure: airports, bridges or stations.
Investments must be coupled with a long-term vision and there must be sufficient social and political support.

Contact info

Erasmus University Rotterdam
Mr. L. van den Berg, tel. +31 10 4081186

Publication date

01/11/1999

Researcher

Berg L. van den, J. van der Meer, A.H.J. Otgar

Cities

The cities of Birmingham, Lisbon and Rotterdam.

Links

Erasmus University Rotterdam

The attractive city (PDF, Dut, 540 KB)

Document type

research

Themes

Urban Policy > Economy knowledge & employment > Urban economy

Keywords

Competitiveness