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Public-sector Intervention in Embodying the New Economy in Inner Urban Areas: The Barcelona Experience

Author

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  • Antònia Casellas

    (Department of Geography, Universitat Autònoma de Barcelona, Edifici B, Campus UAB, Bellaterra, Barcelona, 08193, Spain, antonia.casellas@uab.cat)

  • Montserrat Pallares-Barbera

    (Department of Geography, Universitat Autònoma de Barcelona, Edifici B, Campus UAB, Bellaterra, Barcelona, 08193, Spain, montserrat.pallares@uab.cat)

Abstract

This article investigates the urban and economic revitalisation of a traditional industrial working-class neighbourhood into a knowledge-based economic district. It explores why and how this new district is the result of an assertive public policy led by Barcelona's city council and implemented by a quasi-public agency. The project represents the most important urban-growth strategy in the city at the turn of the century and also exemplifies the advantages and shortcomings of many of the policy elements that have contributed to the radical transformation of Barcelona in recent decades. The article further highlights methodological challenges regarding the conceptualisation and operationalisation of new economic activities and it discusses the spatial and uncertain economic consequences of this ambitious approach by the local government.

Suggested Citation

  • Antònia Casellas & Montserrat Pallares-Barbera, 2009. "Public-sector Intervention in Embodying the New Economy in Inner Urban Areas: The Barcelona Experience," Urban Studies, Urban Studies Journal Limited, vol. 46(5-6), pages 1137-1155, May.
    • Handle: RePEc:sae:urbstu:v:46:y:2009:i:5-6:p:1137-1155
    DOI: 10.1177/0042098009103858
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    References listed on IDEAS

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    4. Acs, Zoltan J & Ndikumwami, Adrien, 1998. "High-Technology Employment Growth in Major U.S. Metropolitan Areas," Small Business Economics, Springer, vol. 10(1), pages 47-59, February.
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    Cited by:

    1. Luca Salvati & Margherita Carlucci & Efstathios Grigoriadis & Francesco Maria Chelli, 2018. "Uneven dispersion or adaptive polycentrism? Urban expansion, population dynamics and employment growth in an ‘ordinary’ city," Review of Regional Research: Jahrbuch für Regionalwissenschaft, Springer;Gesellschaft für Regionalforschung (GfR), vol. 38(1), pages 1-25, February.
    2. Balanzó, Rafael de & Rodríguez-Planas, Núria, 2017. "Crisis and Reorganization in Urban Dynamics: The Barcelona Case Study," IZA Discussion Papers 10748, Institute of Labor Economics (IZA).
    3. Greig Charnock & Thomas F. Purcell & Ramon Ribera-Fumaz, 2014. "City of Rents: The limits to the Barcelona model of urban competitiveness," International Journal of Urban and Regional Research, Wiley Blackwell, vol. 38(1), pages 198-217, January.

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