The Interface of Globalization and Peripheral Land in the Cities of the South: Implications for Urban Governance and Local Economic Development

Abstract

This essay examines the impact of globalization on land peripheral to large cities of the south. It identifies such land as providing major arenas for contested claims between the requirements of international firms and those of local inhabitants and businesses, entailing both threats and opportunities in terms of local economic development. Much depends on the urban governance and institutional processes surrounding the use and allocation of land that are themselves directly influenced by the globalization process. In many cities national, state or provincial governments have set up special parastatal organizations with substantial funding and significant decision-making powers over infrastructure development and land use to facilitate the rebirth of their cities as havens for international investment. In the process local municipalities and the local population are often excluded from the decision-making process, while being left to cope with the aftermath and maintenance of the grand projects. The essay identifies weaknesses in elite governance models usually centred at the state or national levels, and asks if a better alternative may be a local government-led 'inclusive leadership' model capable of clear leadership, greater coordination of different governance layers and inclusion of local actors. Copyright (c) 2007 The Authors. Journal Compilation (c) 2007 Joint Editors and Blackwell Publishing Ltd.

The role of culture and belief systems in shaping customary land reform

“…But this is being undermined by the spread of globalisation/capitalism as customary land continues to be targeted for reform by both national governments and the international community to pave way for economic development. As a result, rural communities find themselves struggling to deal with the conflicts between the global demands and their local economic ambitions (Keivani & Mattingly, 2007).…”

Environmental policies in the peri-urban area of Mexico City: The perceived effects of three environmental programs

“…From a "classic urban point of view", the primary role of peri-urban spaces is to serve as land reserves for future urbanization. However, "emergent views" 3 instead emphasize the economic role of such peripheries in a globalized context (Keivani & Mattingly, 2007;Nelson & Nelson, 2010) and the importance of ecosystem services to the city (Portnov & Pearlmutter, 1999;Allen, 2003;Da Gamma Torres, 2008;Hornis & Eck, 2008a;Shu-Li et al, 2009;Kritsanaphan & Sajor, 2011).…”

“…Nonetheless, there is consensus that such zones are not merely a juxtaposition of urban and rural landscapes. For instance, in some cases, industrial and conservation areas are important in defining what is understood as peri-urban (Portnov & Pearlmutter, 1999;Allen, 2003;Stoian, 2005;Keivani & Mattingly, 2007;Hornis & Eck, 2008a;Said-Mohamed, Neukermans, Kairo, Dahdouh-Guebas, & Koedman, 2009;Shu-Li, Wang, & Budd, 2009;Ayenew, Wurzimer, Tegegne, & Zollitsch, 2011;Kritsanaphan & Sajor, 2011;Vejre, Sondergaard, & Thorsen, 2011;Zasada, 2011;Díaz-Cervantes, 2012). Moreover, there are new challenges in defining and managing these areas based on the need to include additional economic activities.…”

Place Identity And Creative District Regeneration: The Case Of 798 In Beijing And M50 In Shanghai Art Zones

“…Florida (2002) has observed the relationship which exists between changes in the capitalist mode of production -in particular those occurring at the urban scale including clusters of high-tech firms, the dissemination of leisure activities and urban economic networks -and changes in terms of identities of the actors involved. He argues that the more cities are able to seem attractive to the creative class of workers and managers in the various sectors of economy such as art, design, fashion and advanced technologies services, the greater are the chances that those cities can successfully face the challenges of competition among cities imposed by globalization (Keivani, Mattingly, 2007). Indeed, creativity is found not only in the typical characteristics of the entrepreneurial spirit but also in forms such as the spread of behaviour that is favourable to cultural exchange as well as the enhancement of lifestyle diversity.…”