"[..] the enduring economic success of regional configurations as Ile de France, London, Bavaria, Flanders, Randstad Holland, and others, suggest that competitive success is indebted to specific and historically created forms of territorial and socio-institutional organization.
Consider for a moment how these regional economies are characterized by often highly specialized local or regional filieres, that are embedded in local institutional, political, or cultural frameworks. A fragile balance of co-operation and competition, and a very dense layering of formal or informal networks provide the anchors for powerful - but often volatile and vulnerable- urban or regional economies. A host of new terms have been suggested to capture such competitive growth complexes: 'learning regions', competitive cities, reflexive economies, milieux innovateurs, associational economies are among the many metaphors introduced in recent years. (de literatuurverwijzingen heb ik er even uitgelaten).
Elite
The success of cities and regions as diverse as Baltimore, Silicon Valley, Emilia-Romagna, Veneto, Flanders, Berlin, Bilbao or Barcelona suggests that a coherent and relatively homogenous coalition of local, national and international elites is instrumental to intitiating and maintaining a 'boosterist' climate and a competitive growth trajectory. Such coalitions play a pivotal role in generating and mobilizing financial means, the establishment of formal or informal institutions or networks, the co-ordination of key power brokers in the area, and the formulation and dessemination of a clear and visionary image of the city or region that is capable of mobilizing large segments of the local population while portraying an image of dynamism and success to the outside world.
Er is sprake van 'place marketeers'. Their strategies are not only based on a skilful mastering and manipulation of existing or available market information, but are also actively engaged in the creation of the market in ways that benefit them. They command considerable political and economic power and exercise considerable influence on policy formulation, planning documents, regulatory procedures, even appointments to key posts. Their 'insider information' is significant and used effectively. [..]
Such growth coalitions are often opposed by a diffuse set of individuals and social movements for whom the organisation and future of the city or the region as a 'living space' is more important than profit maximization and the productive capacity of the city/region. They often organise to contest or undermine the excess and adventurism of the economic growth machine. Of course, to the extent that opposition groups are capable if gaining power, they might succesfully resist the 'growth machine'. Alternatively, elite players often strategize to co-opt or to integrate actual or potential conflict by incorporating such groups in the formal or informal networks they command."
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