The Urban Response To Internationalization

Peter Karl Kresl , Earl H. Fry

Peter Karl Kresl, Charles P. Vaughan Professor of Economics(Emiritus), Bucknell University, US and President, Global Urban CompetitivenessProject and Earl H. Fry, Professor of Political Science and Endowed Professorof Canadian Studies, Brigham Young University, US

2005 240 pp Hardback 978 1 84376 414 4
ebook isbn 978 1 84542 676 7

Description
‘. . . provides a comprehensive treatment of theissues surrounding internationalization, and their impact on urban affairs indifferent parts of the world, targeted at both scholars and researchers ofeconomics, urban studies and public policy, and at those in city administrativeand leadership positions.’
– Environment and Urbanization

Three decades of accelerated trade and financialmarket liberalization have had significant and lasting impacts on the globaleconomy and its component entities. In this volume, Peter Karl Kresl and EarlFry examine the impacts of these profound changes on the economies of urbanareas, and the responses to them. They provide a comprehensive treatment of theissues surrounding internationalization, such as urban transport,communication, and production. In addition, the authors explore the effects ofinternationalization on municipal foreign affairs, urban governance, inter-cityrelations and structures, and strategic planning.

As nation states have diminished theirintervention in local economies, cities have been forced to implement new formsof governance, cooperative inter-city relationships, and city diplomacy. Theseaspects of globalization have presented urban economies with challenges andthreats to existing activities as well as potentially positive opportunitiesfor development of higher value-added, higher-skilled activities. Forced totake a new look at their international competitiveness, many city leaders havelaunched strategic planning initiatives. Through these they hope to facilitatedevelopment of activities that will improve the economic lives of residents andenable their city to maintain or advance its competitiveness and its positionin the urban hierarchy.

This unique study will be of great interest toscholars and researchers of economics, urban studies, and public policy, aswell as to those in city administrative and leadership positions.