The Attractiveness of European Cities and Regions and Cities for Residents and Visitors
Economic analysis often focuses exclusively on the sites of production. This project focuses on the sites of consumption. Instead of looking at large manufacturing plants producing for export or at multinational headquarters, this project is looking at the impact of shops and restaurants, hotels and hospitals, doctors and post offices. The attractiveness of European regions and cities for residents and visitors alike depends on the quality, cost and availability of specific services and goods. Attractive, competitive and dynamic regions and cities have been a major issue for the development of respective policies. The ESDP (1999) already underlined the need to support regions and cities in becoming more competitive and attractive. Against this backdrop, this project shall strive to achieve a better understanding of the contribution of European regions’ and cities’ attractiveness to economic performance. In addition, it shall identify the key ingredients of attractiveness in different types of territories, from vibrating city centres to tranquil rural settlements, taking into account issues such as access to services, well-being and quality of life. Finally, the project shall investigate in which way policy makers can improve the attractiveness of their city or region by reconciling the interests of both, residents and visitors.