Dimensions of city competitiveness

For a private firm, competitiveness is a relatively simple concept concerned with commercial performance or the ability to provide sufficient returns on capital to attract investment. For a city, competitiveness is more complex and multidimensional, not least because the various tiers and agencies of government responsible for promoting economic growth cannot neglect the implications for social welfare and the environment. The value of a firm to a city is determined not only by its current profitability and future growth prospects but also by factors such as the income it generates for residents through returns to labour, the quality of employment opportunities it offers, its impact on the physical environment and image of the city, and its contribution to the overall quality of life. A competitive city can be considered as one that can attract and retain suitable sorts of activity, defined in these economic, social and environmental terms, to meet the needs of its residents. Thus ‘competitiveness’ is not a simple technical concept, but involves trade-offs between a variety of interests. This chapter examines the relative competitiveness of the two major Scottish cities, Edinburgh and Glasgow, focusing on economic and social dimensions and setting them within a UK context through comparisons with the major English conurbations. With a similar geographical setting on the periphery of an increasingly integrated Europe but very different histories, the Scottish cities have enjoyed contrasting economic fortunes over the past three decades. Edinburgh has been one of the most successful British cities, enjoying slow but steady growth and an international profile through its tourism, cultural and government activities.

Archaeology · Context (archaeology) · Geography · Media studies · Regional science · Sociology · Cultural Industries and Urban Development · Diverse Aspects of Tourism Research · History · Regional Economics and Spatial Analysis

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