Problems of Urban Decline and Growth in EEC Countries: Or Measuring Degrees of Elephantness

Abstract

The purpose of this paper is to draw together several strands of literature concerned with the measurement of spatial economic and social differences and then suggest an alternative approach. We then apply that approach to classifying the problems of 103 of the largest metropolitan regions in the EEC countries. In the process, this allows us to conceptualise and attempt to quantify 'urban decline' in Europe: and simultaneously discover the extent to which urban problems in Europe are still associated with growth. Although it is hoped that the paper is infused with some theoretical and analytical insight, it is primarily empirical in scope. It draws on a small part of a much wider project. Some of the analytical support- particularly the arguments and evidence that support the use of Functional Urban Regions (FURs) as units of analysis, and all of the analytical and policy implications are reported on elsewhere.' ¹

Get full access to this article

View all access options for this article.

References

Bentham, C.G. (1985). Which areas have the worst urban problems? Urban Studies, Vol. 22: 119-132.

Van Den Berg, L. et al. (1982). Urban Europe: A Study of Growth and Decline . London: Pergamon Press.

Bradbury, K.L. , Downs, A. and Small, K.A. (1982). Urban Decline and the Future of American Cities . Washington, DC: The Brookings Institution.

Cheshire, P.C. (1979). Inner Areas as Spatial Labour Markets: a Critique of the Inner Area Studies. Urban Studies, Vol. 16: 29-44.

Cheshire, P.C. and Hay, D. (1985). The Development of the European Urban System, 1971-81 in Ewers, H. J. , Goddard, J. B. and Matzegrath, H. (eds.) The Future of the Metropolis: Economic Aspects . Berlin-New York: de Gruyter.

Cheshire, P.C. , Hay, D.G. and Carbonaro, G. (forthcoming). Regional Policy and Urban Problems in the European Community. Commission for the European Communities.

Commission Of The European Communities (1981 ). The Regions of Europe. First Periodic Report on the social and economic situation of the regions of the Community, Luxembourg.

Commission Of The European Communities (1984 ). The Regions of Europe. Second Periodic Report on the social and economic situation and development of the regions of the Community, Bruxelles.

Department Of The Environment (1977). Inner Area Studies. Liverpool, Birmingham and Lambeth. Summaries of Consultants' Final Reports. London: HMSO.

10.

Department Of The Environment (1983). Urban Deprivation. Information Note 2, Inner Cities Directorate. London: HMSO.

11.

Evans, A.W. and Richardson, R. (1981). Urban Unemployment: Interpretation and Additional Evidence. Scottish Journal of Political Economy, Vol. 28: 107-124.

12.

Gordon, I. and Lamont, D. (1982). A model of labour market interdependencies in the London region. Environment and Planning A, 14.

13.

Hall, P. and Hay, D. (1980). Growth Centres in the European Urban System. London: Heinemann Educational.

14.

Hand, D.J. (1981). Discrimination and Classification. New York: John Wiley & Sons.

15.

Holtermann, S. (1975). Areas of Deprivation in Great Britain: an Analysis of 1971 Census Data. Social Trends, Vol. 6: 33-47.

16.

Liu, B. (1975). Quality of Life: Concept, Measure and Results . American Journal of Economics and Sociology, 34.

17.

Metcalf, D. (1975). Urban Unemployment in England. Economic Journal, Vol. 85: 578-589.

18.

Oecd (1983). Managing Urban Change . Vols. I and II. Paris: OECD.