Controversies In Local Economic Development

This book will discuss seven controversies in local economic development, including knowledge and learning, the provision of resources to nurture entrepreneurial talent, innovation, clusters of enterprise and inward investment.

Efforts to promote the economic development of individual localities engage the attention of academics, students and professionals. Many such analysts argue that competitive advantage can be fostered within local economies, complimenting the advent of a more globalised economy. Intensified efforts to build new economic foundations show no sign of abating despite the apparent increase in the international mobility of businesses and employment. Unpicking the arguments supporting different strategies for promoting local economic development, Controversies in Local Economic Development is an introductory guide to some of the major ideas and policy tools that have influenced academic debate and development practice. Taking the view that economic processes are mechanisms that promote desired outcomes only in particular contexts, the book asks questions of both academic debates and the prescriptions of policy experts.

Presenting state-of-the-art theoretical positions on important development issues such as the inner city, technological innovation and rebuilding economic infrastructure are explored in this volume. The contributors to this volume, drawn from various social science backgrounds, explore a variety of theories and examine them in relation to the practical actions of local economic development.

Provides a comprehensive look at local economic development and public policy, placing special emphasis on quality of life and sustainability. It draws extensively on case studies, and includes both mainstream and alternative perspectives in dealing with economic growth and development issues. The contributions of economic theories and empirical research to the policy debates, and the relationship of both to quality of life and sustainability are explored and clarified.

A comprehensive introduction to the economics of local economic development. The approach is people centered and recognizes contributions from other social sciences.

Initiated and governed by property or business owners under the authorization of state and local governments, business improvement districts (BIDs) have received a very mixed reception. To some, they are innovative examples of self-governance and public-private partnerships; to others, they are yet another example of the movement toward the privatization of what should be inherent government responsibilities. Among the first books to present a collection of scholarly work on the subject, Business Improvement Districts: Research, Theories, and Controversies brings together renowned leaders in the field to compile the highest-quality theoretical, legal, and empirical studies into one comprehensive volume. Investigating fundamental concerns at the core of the debate, as well as potential solutions, this groundbreaking resource: Tackles the need for improved problem solving and efficiency in service delivery Examines new and innovative policy tools for both the public and private sectors Evaluates whether BIDs do ignore the needs and voices of residential property owners Discusses the challenge created by social segregation in cities Addresses lack of accountability by BIDs to the public and elected representatives From different perspectives, leading practitioners and academics analyze the pros and cons of BIDs both in the United States and around the world. They look at their impact on urban planning and retail revitalization, consider their legal implications, and explore ways to measure BID performance. Filled with case studies of urban centers including San Diego, Atlanta, New York, Toronto, and Capetown, and state models such as New Jersey and Pennsylvania, this examination bring together essential information for researchers as well as those leaders and policy makers looking to adopt a BID model or improve one already in place.

Globalization's Impact on State-Local Economic Development Policy

This paper makes a case that discerning what globalization means for local economic development strategies, structures and policies becomes a formidable governance challenge today. The thesis of this paper rests on the assumption that Local Economic Development (LED) policies as an integral part of the global socio-economic development, continuously occupy a greater importance in the overall economic development in less-developed countries as a way of resisting the forces of globalization. The main goal of this research paper is to find quantitative and qualitative justification for an appropriate governance structure for fostering local economic development. First, we argue that globalization debates engender controversy. One of the views is that it is a process which engages with trade, communication, technology, culture and the flow of capital across national boundaries and another that globalization has led to marginalization and exclusion because of downward pressures on systems of social protection, changing labor market conditions and increasing inequality in wages. Then, drawing on large national surveys of local economic development policies, the paper explores the policy strategies for community development that localities are employing as a response to globalization. Finally, the special focus of this paper has been given to the case of local economic development in the Republic of Macedonia.