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Lessons in Governance & Economic Development from Small & Remote Regions CRRF- Tweed- Oct 2004. Godfrey Baldacchino Canada Research Chair (Island Studies) University of Prince Edward Island gbaldacchino@upei.ca. Big Cities growing b i g g e r …. Observations.
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Lessons in Governance & Economic Development from Small & Remote RegionsCRRF- Tweed- Oct 2004 Godfrey Baldacchino Canada Research Chair (Island Studies) University of Prince Edward Island gbaldacchino@upei.ca
Big Citiesgrowing bigger… The Periphery in the Knowledge Economy (Polese & Shearmur) 2002) INRS, 2002)
Observations • Concentration: population, employment, economic capacity, knowledge capacity • ‘Geography as Proximity’ Matters • Peripherality = being too far away from large cities?
St John’s 173,000 x x x x Moncton 118,000 x 3x x x x Halifax 363,000 x x x x 6x
The Insular Edge (NAIP) – Looks Familiar? • Diseconomies of Scale, worse with isolation • Dependence on narrow range of ‘goods’ • Distance to markets – High Transport costs • Value of Imports higher than Exports • Narrow range of Local Skills • Human & Fiscal Capital Drain • Exposure to Hazards & Market Changes • Absence of Specific Data • Scenario: Pleasure Periphery? Washroom?
Lessons from the Periphery – how not to become a ghost town • People: Luring Talent Here/ Home • Resources: Promoting ‘good’ environment • Overseas: Tapping Diaspora & Tourism • Finance – Low / No Tax Regime • Trans-Local Relations – Para-Diplomacy • Transportation - (Control over Air/Sea) • Jurisdiction as Economic Resource
Integrating Economies, Splitting Polities, Exploding Governance Ex-Colonies, Indigenous People, Cities, Communities, Regions, Minorities… • seek autonomy in governance. • value environmental resources. • search for the power of being small. • crave specific status – by design, by convention - with larger players.
Small & Remote Places can be… • A Safe Place to Work from/Raise Families • A Safe Partner for Business • Well Supported by Relational Networks • Staffed by Good, Loyal Employees • Communal ‘Cooperative Competition’ • An Attractive Magnet for ‘Outsiders’ • Competitive, Quiet yet Linked