Fast 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
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Innovative Cities & Regions
Based 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
The 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 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
Cohesion 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
This study, by Sybille Reichert of the European University Association, examines the role of universities in the emergence of “knowledge regions” and their relationship with the business sector.The study outlines important factors for the successful future development of higher education institutions based on the study of four European city regions – Barcelona, Brno, Manchester and Øresund.
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The results of a survey conducted by the National Bureau of Statistics in China found that the cities with the best environment for innovation are Shanghai, Hangzhou, Qingdao, Shenzhen, Suzhou, Beijing, Changzhou, Yantai, Guangzhou and Shaoxing. Shanghai is regarded as the most ideal place in China to open a business. Continue reading