CAEE - The Case for Agglomeration Economies in Europe

Main areas of analysis

Clarification of how agglomeration effects can be measured, using the data available, and application of a common measurement methodology across each of the case study areas.
Derivation of some measures of city-regional autonomy to compare governance arrangements in and for the case study areas, and determination of the extent to which city-regional policy choices have affected and can possibly affect the nature and pattern of agglomeration economies.
Provision of an understanding of the sources of agglomeration within the four study areas, and assessment of whether there is a policy role for influencing agglomeration economies, and if so for whom.
Comparative analysis of agglomeration, including both potential economies and diseconomies, across the case study areas.
Proposition of potential strategic policy options to encourage ‘hot spot’/agglomeration growth to spill over to the wider regional economy.
Assessment of the extent to which governance arrangements in and for the target areas have enabled (or constrained) city-regional development in the past and are likely to do so in the future.

Main results envisaged

An understanding of the process of agglomeration within the context of the MEGAs (European city regions), outlining whether there is a policy role for influencing agglomeration economies.
A comparative analysis of agglomeration economies between European city regions, outlining the competitive positioning of the partner city regions and their unique proposition to future business and investment.
An identification of a range of relevant policy options to ensure that ‘hot-spot’ / agglomeration growth spills over to benefit both the cities themselves as well as their wider region.
An in-depth assessment of European city region (MEGAs) economies, to improve and support the economic understanding of decision-makers in the partner city regions, including a European/global perspective on potential development opportunities.