La pertinence de l'approche territoriale

Using an approach which takes space and time into account brings an original explanation to numerous contemporary questions. Researches on Territorial innovation models (TIMs - MOULAERT and SEKIA, 2003) had and still have considerable impact on innovation studies in a broad range of fields (political economy, geography, sociology, administrative and political science, etc.). We therefore believe that the territorial approach, which became structured to a considerable extent thanks to research on innovation, still has much to give by applying it to other current concepts and issues at stake. The first section of our article concerns the various criticisms made in relation to TIMs and perspectives thereof, with the aim of attempting to identify the strengths behind this area of research that should, in our opinion, be preserved and extended within what we shall call territorial economy. The second section will handle current questions and the way in which territorial economy could provide a response to them. The third and final part is dedicated to the more general theoretical project of the territorial economy. This note is part of the many reflexions developed during the last years about TIMs in French speaking as well as in international journals about TIMs. Several critical surveys, retrospective overviews and also research agendas were published.