Provides an overview of the policy context of Cardiff and the south east Wales city region regarding the importance of the knowledge economy as a driver of economic growth. Details the conceptual framework for understanding knowledge-driven economic development, introducing the Knowledge-Innovation-Knowledge (KIK) model. Introduces the Economic Architecture model and applies it to Wales. Considers local competitiveness in terms of economic performance, sector analysis, business analysis and skills analysis.

The audit was conducted in light of the emphasis on public services in Wales, including collaboration between local authority areas and following widespread interest in the possibility of the city region approach to local governance.

Employs a wide range of indicators to analyse competitiveness.

Finds that the knowledge economy of the region as a whole is good but lags behind many of the other core city regions in Scotland and England. Suggests there is evidence that the knowledge economy of the city region is dominated by Cardiff, and that there is an urgent need to encourage knowledge-driven economic growth in other sub-regional urban centres and local hubs.

Local Futures Group
Josh Ryan-Collins, tel. +44 20 7440 7360

01/04/2006

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Josh Ryan-Collins

research

Urban Policy > Economy knowledge & employment > Urban economy

Specific sectors