Possible Ways for Developing a Media City: Chances for Newcomer Cities are rather Limited!
Christoph Hornych, Martin T. W. Rosenfeld, Michael Schwartz
Wirtschaft im Wandel,
No. 5,
2009
Abstract
Numerous cities try to set up themselves as centres of creative businesses, especially for media industry. Behind such strategies for supporting the local media economy stands the aim to profit from the high share of supra-regional sales in the media economy, from possible image effects as well as – especially in Germany – from the backflow of taxes for public broadcasting. Against this background, the article examines the efficiency of possible instruments for local decision makers to improve the location conditions for the media industry. An analysis of the location preferences of the media industry shows that localization economies as well as urbanization economies have a high importance. Economic measures to generate or strengthen these effects are the attraction of public broadcasting stations, the assignment of subsidies for local film and media producers, the endowment with science facilities and educational institutions which are relevant for media, the establishment of business incubators specialized on media industry, and the development of inter-firm networks and special city districts for the local media industry. Our analysis shows that most of these instruments have only limited impacts. In particular, cities without public broadcasting stations and without educational institutions relevant for the branch probably will not have the chance to become media cities.
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Potentials of Innovation in Eastern Germany: High Levels in Urban Centres and Dynamics in Rural Regions
Jutta Günther, Claus Michelsen, Mirko Titze
Wirtschaft im Wandel,
No. 4,
2009
Abstract
Processes of innovation are usually complex, risky, and require a number of inputs, typically research and development (R&D) and a highly qualified workforce. The resulting inventions are the basis for patents that can be further developed into marketable products and real innovations. For example the spending for R&D, the number of highly skilled employees, and the number of patent applications can be seen as relevant indicators for the innovation power of firms. The sum of these measures can identify the innovation potential of whole regions. Because of the interdependence of these variables for the process of innovation, it is self-evident to summarize the measures in one index, which is presented in this article.
There are substantial differences between East German regions in terms of the identified innovation index for the period 2002 to 2006. The overall index indicates a north-south gap of the innovation potential. Bigger cities, such as Jena and Dresden, show up on top places. The view on the dynamics of the regional innovation potential (sub-index dynamics) reveals, however, that some more rural areas are very well off, for example Bernburg, Stollberg, Hoyerswerda, Dahme-Spreewald, Wernigerode and Bad Doberan. This is mainly caused by the innovative sphere of regional centres, but also due to the low base level of some regions.
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Political Institutionalisation and Economic Specialisation in Polycentric Metropolitan Regions – The Case of the East-German ‘Saxony Triangle’
Peter Franz, Christoph Hornych
IWH Discussion Papers,
No. 6,
2009
Abstract
The rising attention of politicians as well as scientists in the EU to the large urban agglomerations as centres of economic growth is accompanied by political efforts to identify and to demarcate such agglomerations under the label ‘metropolitan regions’. This study develops a theoretical framework broaching the issue of cooperation between municipalities from the perspective of regional economics as well as political science. The framework is applied to the empirical case of the polycentric metropolitan region ‘Saxony Triangle’ in East Germany. The results show that various intervening factors prevent intense cooperation between the actors in the region. Policy implications and con-
clusions for future research are discussed.
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New Growth and Poverty Alleviation Strategies for Africa - International and Regional Perspectives. African Development Perspectives Yearbook, Vol. 13
Karl Wohlmuth, Tobias Knedlik, Mareike Meyn, Afeikhena Jerome, T. (eds) Urban
,
2008
Abstract
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Is There a Way for Old Industrial Districts to Become Attractive for Cultural Industry? The Case of Media Businesses in Halle (Saale), Germany
Martin T. W. Rosenfeld, Christoph Hornych
IWH Discussion Papers,
No. 15,
2008
Abstract
manufacturing have collapsed are trying to stimulate entrepreneurial activities of businesses in the cultural industry. The question is whether this strategy could be successful. This article examines the strategy of supporting the sector of Media Industry (´MI´) by policy makers in the region of Halle in East Germany, where a strong de-industrialization has taken place after the German reunification. Stimulated by the policy makers’ support measures, there actually was a remarkable development of MI. However, the number of MI firms and their employees did not further increase in recent years, after having reached a certain level. This illustrates the limits of political measures for turning a city’s path of industrial development voluntarily.
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Muster der Einwohnerschrumpfung in bundesdeutschen Städten zu Beginn des 21. Jahrhunderts
Peter Franz
Schrumpfende Städte. Ein Phänomen zwischen Antike und Moderne (Institut für vergleichende Städtegeschichte, Reihe Städteforschung, Bd. 76),
2008
Abstract
The article analyzes the trends of shrinking and growing population in the German cities since 1990. After presenting diverse data on the level of the cities and the city regions, the small scale population change within cities is exemplified by the case of the city of Halle in Saxony-Anhalt. Several models and theories are checked if they can explain the phenomenon of shrinking cities. The article closes with a preliminary resume.
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Spatially Concentrated Industries as Innovation Driver? – Empirical Evidence from East Germany
Christoph Hornych, Michael Schwartz
Wirtschaft im Wandel,
No. 9,
2008
Abstract
A positive relation between the spatial concentration of sectors and their capacity of innovation is frequently assumed in regional science as well as in regional development policy. Therefore, with the support of sectoral agglomeration, effects on the regional technological performance are expected. However, previous empirical work is inconsistent in supporting this interdependency.
This study aims to examine the effects of sectoral agglomeration on innovative activities in East-German regions. For this purpose, spatially concentrated industries are identified and included in the estimation of regional ‘knowledge-production-functions’. Contrary to expectations, the spatial concentration seems to inhibit the amount of patent-activities of the sector in the specific region. In contrast, positive effects are generated from research facilities. Moreover, we find evidence for intersectoral spillovers.
The results show that for innovative activities, urbanization effects have a higher relevance as localization effects. So far, spatially concentrated industries are not an innovation driver in East Germany.
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Suburban Municipalities on Trial – Analysing the Sustainability of Socioeconomic Structures at the Example of the Municipality Schkopau
Sabine Döhler, Alexander Kubis
Wirtschaft im Wandel,
No. 7,
2008
Abstract
This article analyses socio-economic criteria of municipalities next to large cities. In a case study, we examine the municipality Schkopau in the south of Saxony-Anhalt. We ask if the fusion of smaller communes to this “new” municipality created in 2004 was rational in terms of sustainable socio-economic structures. Hence, we use the criteria of satellite towns developed by Boustedt.
We show that the criterion of political independence is assured by law. Meanwhile, the criteria independence of culture and urban development are not completely fulfilled. Due to the high density of industrial enterprises, the municipality has high tax revenue and therefore a strong financial basis. Also, the criterion of the minimum population figure is implemented.
Based on the specific results of the satellite town criteria, we could not find definite results for the municipality Schkopau, they are rather ambivalent. This result is partly caused by the strong interactions within the functional area of the provinces Saxony, Saxony-Anhalt and Thuringia. Due to the high dynamic of the structural change, we also point out the necessity to enhance the criteria for sustainable socio-economic structures of local and regional municipalities.
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Real Options of Private House Owners in the East German Housing Market – How Demolition Subsidies Affect Investment Prospects for Private House Owners
Dominik Weiß
Wirtschaft im Wandel,
No. 6,
2008
Abstract
The subsidies of the German urban renewal program “Stadtumbau Ost” are claimed mainly by communal and cooperative housing companies. The instruments do not fit very well for private proprietors that hold a great part of the older housing stock in central locations, for example in Wilhelminian style districts. Interim evaluation reports concerning the implementation of the “Stadtumbau” program show good results for big housing blocks, but constantly high vacancy rates in the inner city quarters. It becomes obvious that the political targets have not been achieved completely so far and that market forces limit the extensive restoration of historic buildings.
The opportunities, economic incentives and the decisions of landlords and house owners will be analyzed with a real option approach. A detailed view considers the different available forms of subsidies, examining its power to affect real estate values and to initiate politically desired urban transformations. It can be shown that the current forms of subsidies fail to promote investment of private house owners because of rising value expectations. Downgrading the building zones to lower density might reduce unrealistic expectations that were identified as a hurdle to invest. As a consequence from this consideration, municipalities should implement alternative urban development concepts and adjust the subsidy policy.
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From University Town to Knowledge City: Strategies and Regulatory Hurdles in Germany
Peter Franz
Knowledge-Based Urban Development: Planning and Applications in the Information Era,
2008
Abstract
The trend of cities, serving as a location for universities and research institutes, to take into consideration new strategies utilizing this location factor for growth-oriented urban development can also be observed in Germany. An overview of the quantitative preconditions shows that many German cities dispose of favorite preconditions for such a knowledge city strategy. An analysis of the policy arena comes to the result that the political actors are confronted with the task of a complex multi-level-policy where networking skills become essential. A comparison with the policy conditions in the U.S. makes it quite clear that especially the German universities have the status of semi-autonomous actors complicating negotiating and coordinating activities between city and science representatives. First examples of deregulation show that these hurdles can be overcome in the future.
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