Edward Glaeser explains in simple terms the synergies between dense, diverse cities and dynamic labour markets.
Richard Florida discusses spatial variations within the USA in terms of homeownserhip. This is a debate that matters in other countries as well, such as the UK. A very interesting fact is cited right at the beggining: "Yale University's Robert Shiller, the world's leading student of bubbles, housing, and otherwise, found that from "1890 to 1990, the rate of return on residential real estate was just about zero after inflation." Makes you think twice about buying a house!
28/04/2010
Spending cuts in the UK
Katie Schmueker from the IPPR North reflects in this article on the regional targeting of public spending cuts in the UK. According to David Cameron, the Conservative leader, the public sector is too large in areas such as Northern Ireland or the North East of England. However Katie argues that if we look instead at public spending per capita London is ahead of all other regions!
27/04/2010
Fragmented local government in the US
Bruce Katz, of the Brookings Institution, has a very interesting piece on the Wall Street Journal about the costs of fragmentation in local government. This is an old discussion that has emerged over the years. Planners and Geographers tend to favour a more rational organisation of local government, with a view to making them more efficient in delivering services and managing local and regional economies. However a different version, supported by the notion popularised by Charles Tiebout that citizens vote with their feet, is that fragmented local authorities have the effect of increasing competition between constituencies and therefore promoting greater fiscal responsibility and better local government.
Bruce Katz clearly supports the former and he provides a solid body of evidence as to why it is the best option. His approach of justifying it first as something that makes sense from an economic point of view is probably a good way to convince people that would otherwise not care much if he mainly refered to better governance. The key issue now is whether the Obama's administration emphasis on urban policy will provide the necessary support to introduce sweeping reform. I wouldn't be surprised if reforming local government would lead to as much or even more anger and political opposition than the Health Care bill.
Bruce Katz clearly supports the former and he provides a solid body of evidence as to why it is the best option. His approach of justifying it first as something that makes sense from an economic point of view is probably a good way to convince people that would otherwise not care much if he mainly refered to better governance. The key issue now is whether the Obama's administration emphasis on urban policy will provide the necessary support to introduce sweeping reform. I wouldn't be surprised if reforming local government would lead to as much or even more anger and political opposition than the Health Care bill.
BRICs and the new global economic geography
This article from the Huffington Post talks about the emergence of a new global economic geography as a result of the growing importance of the BRIC countries (Brazil, Russia, India, China). It is not the most accurate piece, since the article recognizes that these countries have different interests, while at the sime time predicting that they will become the next global, rival superpower. It is difficult to conceive how 4 different countries, located in different regions of the world, with different political cultures and with deep rooted suspicions of each other can ever become a superpower. The EU is composed of countries that in theory are closer to each other culturally and is yet to become a strong political entity, particularly in matters of foreign policy. It is nevertheless a topic to bear in mind in the future.
Krugman
Paul Krugman addressed the Association of American Geographers two weeks ago to reflect on the last 20 years of the New Economic Geography (or Geographical Economics, if you prefer). The paper on which his presentation was based is available online here.
For those who didn't attend his presentation it's a good read as it tackles the issue of Economics vs. Geography, with Krugman providing a sensible analysis of the limitations of both disciplines.
For those who didn't attend his presentation it's a good read as it tackles the issue of Economics vs. Geography, with Krugman providing a sensible analysis of the limitations of both disciplines.
12/04/2010
New Geography
I should have probably noticed this magazine earlier, but it has only come to my attention now.
New Geography is an excellent source of information for people interested in urban and regional studies. Definitely worth bookmarking!
New Geography is an excellent source of information for people interested in urban and regional studies. Definitely worth bookmarking!
07/04/2010
Wal Mart's growth
You can see here an amazing visual representation of Wal Mart's growth in the USA. It is part of a website called Flowing Data, where you can find many more examples of data visualisation. It is definitely an excellent resource for anyone working with GIS.
06/04/2010
A case for the return of geography
An article on Geography's contribution to the expansion of knowledge by a Nigerian professor.
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