Structure and Cooptition in Urban Networks 243 Martijn J
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B&T11479_ERIM_Omslag Burger_25juli11 STRUCTURE AND COOPTITION IN URBAN NETWORKS 243 MARTIJN J. BURGER Over the past decades, demographic changes, advances in transportation and com - munication technology, and the growth of the service sector have had a significant impact on the spatial structure of regions. Monocentric cities are disappearing and developing into polycentric metropolitan areas, while at the same time, social and economic processes Structure and Cooptition are taking place at an ever larger geographical scale, beyond that of the city, in which J. BURGERMARTIJN and Cooptition in Urban Networks - Structure historically separate metropolitan areas are becoming increasingly functionally connected in Urban Networks to form polycentric urban regions. Such urban networks are characterised by the lack of an urban hierarchy, a significant degree of spatial integration between different cities and, complementary relationships between centres, in that cities and towns have different economic specialisations. The growing literature on changing urban systems coincides with the increasing popularity of the urban network concept in contemporary spatial planning and policy, in which urban networks are often seen as a panacea for regional economic development problems. Polycentricity and spatial integration have become catchphrases, where poly - centric development policies have been introduced to support territorial cohesion and cooperation as well as higher levels of urban and regional competitiveness. Despite the enthusiasm for the ideas of a polycentric and networked spatial organisation, the assess - ment of the urban network concept leaves much to be desired. To what extent are regions becoming more polycentric and spatially integrated? Are relationships between cities in Design & layout: B&T Ontwerp en advies (www.b-en-t.nl) Print: Haveka (www.haveka.nl) Design & layout: B&T Ontwerp en advies (www.b-en-t.nl) polycentric, spatially integrated regions complementary rather than competitive? And are polycentric, spatially integrated regions more economically efficient than their monocentric, non-integrated counterparts? In this study, these questions will be addressed. The Erasmus Research Institute of Management (ERIM) is the Research School (Onder - zoek school) in the field of management of the Erasmus University Rotterdam. The founding participants of ERIM are the Rotterdam School of Management (RSM), and the Erasmus School of Econo mics (ESE). ERIM was founded in1999 and is officially accre dited by the Royal Netherlands Academy of Arts and Sciences (KNAW). The research under taken by ERIM is focused on the management of the firm in its environment, its intra- and interfirm relations, and its busi ness processes in their interdependent connections. The objective of ERIM is to carry out first rate research in management, and to offer an ad vanced doctoral programme inResearch in Management. Within ERIM, over three hundred senior researchers and PhD candidates are active in the different research pro- grammes. From a variety of acade mic backgrounds and expertises, the ERIM community is united in striving for excellence and working at the forefront of creating new business knowledge. Erasmus Research Institute of ManagementErasmus Research - ERIM PhD Series Research in Management Erasmus Research Institute of Management - Tel. +31 10 408 11 82 Rotterdam School of Management (RSM) Fax +31 10 408 96 40 ERIM Erasmus School of Economics (ESE) E-mail [email protected] Erasmus University Rotterdam (EUR) Internet www.erim.eur.nl P.O. Box 1738, 3000 DR Rotterdam, The Netherlands Structure and Cooptition in Urban Networks Structure and Cooptition in Urban Networks Structuur en coöpetitie in stedelijke netwerken Thesis to obtain the degree of Doctor from the Erasmus University Rotterdam by command of the rector magnificus Prof.dr. H.G. Schmidt and in accordance with the decision of the Doctorate Board. The public defense shall be held on Thursday, 22 September 2011 at 15.30 hours by Martijn Johan Burger born in Groningen Doctoral Committee Promotors: Prof.dr. G.A. van der Knaap Prof.dr. H.R. Commandeur Other members: Prof.dr.ing. G.R. Teisman Prof.dr. P. McCann Prof.dr. F.G. van Oort Erasmus Research Institute of Management – ERIM The joint research institute of the Rotterdam School of Management (RSM) and the Erasmus School of Economics (ESE) at the Erasmus University Rotterdam Internet: http://www.erim.eur.nl ERIM Electronic Series Portal: http://hdl.handle.net/1765/1 ERIM PhD Series in Research in Management, 243 ERIM reference number: EPS-2011-243-ORG ISBN 978-90-5892-288-5 © 2011, Martijn J. Burger Design: B&T Ontwerp en advies www.b-en-t.nl Cover Image: Yacintha van Zuidam Lay-out: Jermaine van Laarhoven This publication (cover and interior) is printed by haveka.nl on recycled paper, Revive®. The ink used is produced from renewable resources and alcohol free fountain solution. Certifications for the paper and the printing production process: Recycle, EU Flower, FSC, ISO14001. More info: http://www.haveka.nl/greening All rights reserved. No part of this publication may be reproduced or transmitted in any form or by any means electronic or mechanical, including photocopying, recording, or by any information storage and retrieval system, without permission in writing from the author. ‘Der Raum ist kein Zauberer, kein übersinnliches Wesen’ - Walter Christaller Preface Let every man be master of his own time -William Shakespeare, The Tragedy of Macbeth A professor once taught me that it is not important to have free time, but to be free to plan your own time. Although I still presume he was referring to the benefits of academic life, I now also learned that it is often difficult to keep track of time. Indeed, it is remarkable how quickly time has passed since I started my PhD in urban and regional economics at the Erasmus University Rotterdam. Over the past four years, I had the opportunity to study many subject areas, ranging from polycentric urban systems, spatial competition, agglomeration economies, and strategic spatial planning to foreign direct investment, trade in services, housing bubbles, and strategic alliances in the biopharmaceutical industry. Yes, perhaps I took sometimes too many side roads, but, after all, joy is often found in the journey and not in the destination. Still, I am glad that the PhD project has now come to an end, something that would never have been possible without the support of my family, friends, colleagues, and supervisors. Therefore, I would like to express my profound gratitude to Bert van der Knaap, for his input, coaching, and our lengthy discussions on the history of the spatial sciences as well as for giving me the opportunity to write a doctoral dissertation and to develop my own research agenda. Harry Commandeur, for his continuous support and inspiration as well as for challenging me to put my research in a broader perspective by relating it to issues in industrial economics and management. Frank van Oort – whom I not only highly regard as an additional mentor, but also as a friend – for his guidance, infinite enthusiasm and dedication, many e-mails at 2am, and outstanding company during conferences and dinners. Evert Meijers, for exploring together the research agenda on spatial structure and regional performance, for our successful collaboration over the past years, and for greatly enhancing the time spent at several conferences. Bas Karreman, not only for sharing ideas and frustrations, but also for introducing me to The Wire, decorating H13-11 on my birthday, bringing home-baked cookies to work, not bothering too much about the mess I make, and just for being the best roommate you can ever wish for. Frank Neffke, for many memorable games of pool, theatre classes, evenings in the Muppet cafe, late night escapes from Rotterdam, and never-ending discussions about research and starting up a joint paper (which is after three years still on the Bucket list). Ronald Wall, for our successful collaboration in joint research projects over the past years as well as for his enthusiasm and determination to explore the relationship between urban planning and economic geography. Mark Thissen, not only for his hospitality at the time I was guest researcher at the Netherlands Institute for Spatial Research, but also for the many pleasant dinners and visits to the theatre and cinema. Matthias Brienen, Vincent Buskens, Bastiaan de Goei, Dario Diodato, Koen Frenken, Jarno Hoekman, Gert-Jan Linders, Roderik Ponds, Otto Raspe, Lambert van der Laan, and many other co-authors within and beyond my own department for the fruitful cooperation within joint research projects over the past years. Kirsten Rohde, Aurélien Baillon and Enrico Pennings, for their research support and enjoyable company during countless coffee breaks, lunches and dinners. Sandra Phlippen, for her creativity, original ideas, and ability to make even a boring day at work a lot of fun. Nita Ramsaransing and Gerda de Rave, for the administrative support and trying to keep me healthy. All my other colleagues at the 13th floor, Italo, Ronald Huisman, Pilar, Teresa, Jan, Hans, Esen, Justus, Han, Anka, Ramona, and Eddy for creating together a stimulating work environment. Annemieke, Bas, Bob, Kristel, and Youri, for our long-lasting friendship which dates back to high school and University College. Even though I don’t see some of you as often as I would wish for, many things never change. When we meet, it is as we have never been really