The Philadelphia Experience

Abstract

While Philadelphia has developed many links to the global economy, this city region does not qualify as a world city on a par with New York or Los Angeles. Ironically, in an era of increasing globalization, Philadelphia's regional economy is arguably more locally oriented than during the heyday of manufacturing because services are not as exportable as manufactured goods. This article identifies some of the advantages and problems associated with Philadelphia's status as a regional city rather than a world city. It examines the prospects for city-suburban cooperation to enhance the region's competitive economic position. The politics of regional cooperation are illustrated by three examples of physical infrastructure: the Pennsylvania Convention Center, the ports of Philadelphia and Camden, and the Naval Shipyard. The author concludes that even to promote infrastructure that supports business, the political and business leaders have difficulty cooperating.