Pioneer Cities in the Creative Sustainable Economy

Abstract

The future of cities depends largely on their capacity to innovate out of the crisis and generate and distribute sustainable wealth, while enhancing well-­being in harmony with nature. As central scenes in national dramas and the global chessboard, cities generate agglomeration dynamics, enhanced by the mutual reinforcement of activities that cluster together. In times of uncertainty, the search for sustainable growth, in balance with the other components of sustainability, is critical. Multi-win innovations are essential for creating new assets, often out of liabilities, and ecoresponsible businesses have a key role to play in creating “value out of values.”

This chapter examines the competitiveness of cities in the interconnected world of scarce resources. Competitive cities try to foster, attract, and retain talent and promote smart and green businesses to generate wealth and move up the urban value stair. Cities themselves are important direct and indirect sources of new green employment and can influence markets in line with sustainable development. Green growth and the bioeconomy have a great potential for a better and more profitable use of resources. Innovative partnerships with ecobusinesses are cardinal for reconciling short-term economic benefits with long-term sustainability goals. Quality of life and sustainable access to resources and knowledge are key features of urban attractiveness and power.

5.1 Watercolour 5 Amsterdam, A Car-Free City?