Is there creative life further than the big cities? Joan Ganau Universitat de Lleida (Spain) UNESCO Chair on “Intermediate cities, urbanization and development” IGU Urban Commission Meeting Canterbury, 15th August 2011 Challenges for Medium-sized and Small Cities in a Globalised Economy

Is there creative life further than the big cities? 1. Geography matters. Cities, regions and the creative economy: spiky of flat world? 2. What opportunities and challenges for intermediate cities? 3. Final reflexions

1. World Population R. Florida (2008) 1. From a flat world to a spiky world?

2. Economic activity R. Florida (2008) 1. From a flat world to a spiky world?

3. Innovation R. Florida (2008) 1. From a flat world to a spiky world?

a) Spike US R. Florida (2008) 1. From a flat world to a spiky world?

b) Spiky China R. Florida (2008) 1. From a flat world to a spiky world?

c) Spiky Europe R. Florida (2008) 1. From a flat world to a spiky world?

? ? ? ? ? ? ? ? ? R. Florida (2008) 1. From a flat world to a spiky world? d) Metropolitan regions in Europe Is there only a peak-valleys question? What future for these “valleys”? 12 metropolitan regions $5.000 billion 260 million of people

2. Intermediate cities: opportunities and challenges 1. The comparative advantages of large cities More diversity of job opportunities Cultural scale economies Milieu creative and innovation. Business climate Capitalism principle: big is better

2. Intermediate cities: opportunities and challenges 2. Why small and medium-sized cities? Intermediate cities as a concept Increasing international interest in the future of these cities Reactions to the changes of different cities: What about me? Me too! Why me not?

2. Intermediate cities: opportunities and challenges 3.Factors influencing the potential of intermediate cities 1.Population size.  Difference with Industrial Revolution: in the informational economy, there is not population growth of small cities  Contradiction between European guidelines about polycentric spatial structure and realities of global cities 2.City functions and territories (size, dynamism…) 3.Economic background (industry…) 4.Location in relation with large metropolitan areas (distance and accessibility) 5.Availability of services

K. Kunzmann (2009) Location in relation with large metropolitan areas 2. Intermediate cities: opportunities and challenges

Weakness Less dynamism Less dynamism Lack of opportunities for qualified jobs Lack of opportunities for qualified jobs Difficulties to attract and retain “talent” Difficulties to attract and retain “talent” No economies of agglomeration No economies of agglomeration Opportunities Increasing “metropolisation” (changes in communications…) Increasing “metropolisation” (changes in communications…) Profit the cultural capital, heritage and existing traditions Profit the cultural capital, heritage and existing traditions Planning strategies and involvement of city society Planning strategies and involvement of city society Changing old dynamics from existing traditions Changing old dynamics from existing traditions Networking with other cities to collaborate and generate economies of scale Networking with other cities to collaborate and generate economies of scale Universities, colleges… as important part to creating and attracting talent Universities, colleges… as important part to creating and attracting talent Strengths Housing prices Housing prices More possibility of social cohesion More possibility of social cohesion Richer “social capital” Richer “social capital” No formal social relation networks (more dense and fluid) No formal social relation networks (more dense and fluid) Quality of life and sustainability Quality of life and sustainability Place Identity, sense of community Place Identity, sense of community 2. Intermediate cities: opportunities and challenges

3. Final reflexions 1.Changing the scope, the focus of the lens. We need new spectacles to watch different realities… 2.Problems of scale analysis: new items, indexes… 3.Competition /vs collaboration between towns. Create networks of cities 4.Creativity is not a zero sum game. Education as a key factor. Creativity is a renewable resource. It is possible to “create creative people” Pay more attention to young people (there are the future innovation- creativity)

5.Public cultural policies to improve regional development: Culture and social aims: social cohesion, quality of life, multicutural communities… Culture as production /vs consumption (cultural and creative industries…) Tourism and creativity? A sustainable pattern of development growth) Cultural industries: return of industrial activity within towns 6.Geography matters… size matters too! 3. Final reflexions