Mapping European research networks

This paper proposes a framework for measuring the performance and mappingthe geography of the European Research Area (ERA) based on the analysis of existingresearch and knowledge networks. The objective is to provide insights into the spatialstructure of the European space from the perspective of the distribution of excellence inresearch. Starting from the debate on European spatial development, key issues such aspolycentricity, the territorial dimension and impact of European policies, the role of researchinvestments as an engine of urban and regional development, the paper explores thepotential use of integrating social network analysis and GIS in the evaluation of the spatialrelationalstructure of the European Research Area. The research uses data on theparticipation of academic and business research actors into research projects funded by theEuropean Commission under the Sixth Framework Programme. This paper proposes a framework for measuring the performance and mappingthe geography of the European Research Area (ERA) based on the analysis of existingresearch and knowledge networks. The objective is to provide insights into the spatialstructure of the European space from the perspective of the distribution of excellence inresearch. Starting from the debate on European spatial development, key issues such aspolycentricity, the territorial dimension and impact of European policies, the role of researchinvestments as an engine of urban and regional development, the paper explores thepotential use of integrating social network analysis and GIS in the evaluation of the spatialrelationalstructure of the European Research Area. The research uses data on theparticipation of academic and business research actors into research projects funded by theEuropean Commission under the Sixth Framework Programme

Policy networks: conceptual developments and their European applications

Discussions on policy networks are becoming increasingly common in the analysis of public policy. However nowhere is to be found a common understanding of what policy networks are and how they operate. Little agreement exists even on whether policy networks are to be considered as a metaphor, a method or a proper theory with explanatory power. The paper will explore how the policy network approach has been developed to describe and explain the complexity of new forms of decision-making and policy implementation and their implications for democracy and effectiveness of the political system. The focus is on conceptual frames developed in the context of policy and public administration studies seen here as specific sector of organisational studies. It will then move forward to review how this concepts have been incorporated in studies on emerging forms of spatial governance, namely multilevel and transnational governance with particular reference to the European context. Methodological perspectives and quantitative analytical approaches such as those developed within Social Network Analysis studies or in the more traditional fields of quantitative modelling of political behaviours and power distributions are not investigated in this literature review. Discussions on policy networks are becoming increasingly common in the analysis of public policy. However nowhere is to be found a common understanding of what policy networks are and how they operate. Little agreement exists even on whether policy networks are to be considered as a metaphor, a method or a proper theory with explanatory power. The paper will explore how the policy network approach has been developed to describe and explain the complexity of new forms of decision-making and policy implementation and their implications for democracy and effectiveness of the political system. The focus is on conceptual frames developed in the context of policy and public administration studies seen here as specific sector of organisational studies. It will then move forward to review how this concepts have been incorporated in studies on emerging forms of spatial governance, namely multilevel and transnational governance with particular reference to the European context. Methodological perspectives and quantitative analytical approaches such as those developed within Social Network Analysis studies or in the more traditional fields of quantitative modelling of political behaviours and power distributions are not investigated in this literature review

Mapping London's Innovation Networks

A wide range of authors have highlighted the potential benefits for entrepreneurial companies that engage in effective networking along and across the supply-chain. As many organisations have downsized or outsourcedbasic research activities Universities have an increasingly important role within such networks. A number of UK initiatives have been established to encourage greater 'entanglement' between academia and commerce; the London Technology Network is one example which is intended to encourage interactions between London's leading research institutes and innovative businesses.Using the detailed data acquired by this network this paper is intended to presents an exploratory analysis of such activities with the aim of establishing the extent to which company size, sector and/or location play a significant role in participation in the network's activities. A wide range of authors have highlighted the potential benefits for entrepreneurial companies that engage in effective networking along and across the supply-chain. As many organisations have downsized or outsourced basic research activities Universities have an increasingly important role within such networks. A number of UK initiatives have been established to encourage greater 'entanglement' between academia and commerce; the London Technology Network is one example which is intended to encourage interactions between London's leading research institutes and innovative businesses.Using the detailed data acquired by this network this paper is intended to presents an exploratory analysis of such activities with the aim of establishing the extent to which company size, sector and/or location play a significant role in participation in the network's activities

Traffic, urban growth and suburban sprawl

Cities are still getting bigger in the western world. Even though urbanpopulations are barely reproducing themselves and migration from thecountryside to the town has slowed to a trickle, the demand for more livingspace shows no sign of abating as cities continue to expand their bordersthrough suburban sprawl. The automobile, of course, makes this possiblebut we show no signs of moving to other forms of transport that mightenable our cities to become a little more compact. The problems of sprawlare pervasive. Besides congestion, time wasted, and the long term costs ofusing non-renewable energy, the lack of good social infrastructure inrapidly growing suburban areas together with the erosion of agriculturalland, often of high environmental quality, has focused the debate onwhether or not such forms of development are sustainable. In this paper,we begin by noting that suburban sprawl is an age-old phenomenon whichrepresents a fine balance between the forces that are pushing peopletogether in cities and those that are forcing them out. These lead todifferent types of sprawl in different places and at different times butwhatever the variety, there are costs to be borne. We briefly review these,noting how these affect suburban sprawl in Europe, and the efforts of theEuropean Commission to understand the problem. We conclude not with aplea that cities should be compacted and all automobile traffic removedbut that we should engage in policies for ?smart growth? such as thosebeing adopted in North America

Assessing the geographic dimensions of London's innovation networks

A wide range of authors have highlighted the potential benefits for innovation that may arise from effective networking between organisations along and across the supply-chain. As many organisations have downsized or out-sourced basic research activities Universities have an increasingly important role within such networks. A number of UK initiatives have been established to encourage greater 'entanglement' between academia and commerce; the London Technology Network is one example which is intended to encourage interactions between London's leading research institutes and innovation organisations. Using the detailed data acquired by this network this development paper is intended to investigate the geographic distribution of these activities with the aim of establishing the extent to which location and/or distance play a significant role in participation in the network's activities. A wide range of authors have highlighted the potential benefits for innovation that may arise from effective networking between organisations along and across the supply-chain. As many organisations have downsized or out-sourced basic research activities Universities have an increasingly important role within such networks. A number of UK initiatives have been established to encourage greater 'entanglement' between academia and commerce; the London Technology Network is one example which is intended to encourage interactions between London's leading research institutes and innovation organisations. Using the detailed data acquired by this network this development paper is intended to investigate the geographic distribution of these activities with the aim of establishing the extent to which location and/or distance play a significant role in participation in the network's activities

Representing multifunctional cities: density and diversity in space and time

In this paper, we define measures of urban diversity, density and segregation using newdata and software systems based on GIS. These allow us to visualise the meaning of themultifunctional city. We begin with a discussion of how cities have become moresegregated in their land uses and activities during the last 200 years and how the currentfocus is on reversing this trend through limiting urban sprawl and bringing new lifeback to the inner and central city. We define various indices which show how diversityand density manifest themselves spatially. We argue that multifunctionalism is a relativeconcept, dependent upon the spatial and temporal scale that we use to think about themixing and concentration of urban land uses. We present three examples using spatiallysmoothed indicators of diversity: for a world city ? London, for a highly controlledpolycentric urban region ? Randstad Holland, and for a much more diffusely populatedsemi-urban region ? Venice-Padua-Teviso. We conclude by illustrating that urbandiversity varies as people engage in different activities associated with different landuses throughout the day, as well as through the vertical, third dimension of the city. Thisimpresses the point that we need to understand multifunctional cities in all theirdimensions of space and time

Justifying and resisting public park commercialisation: The battle for Battersea Park

Urban parks have always been contested and contradictory spaces: highly ordered and elitist, yet valued as democratic places and public amenities. In an era of neoliberal austerity there are greater pressures for parks to pay for themselves and the associated commercialisation often exacerbates conflicts between park users and managing authorities. This paper focuses on how their increased use as venues for commercial events affects the publicness of urban parks. This issue is explored via the case of Battersea Park in London which was used as a venue for Formula E motor races in 2015 and 2016. These events disrupted park access during race weekends, but also in the periods when the venue was assembled / disassembled. The events were resisted by a community action group whose campaigning eventually resulted in the decision by Formula E to cease racing in Battersea Park. The paper analyses how Formula E events were justified and opposed using a form of rhetorical analysis inspired by the work of Michael Billig. Interviews were undertaken with key stakeholders involved in the case and their arguments were analysed to reveal different ways of thinking about public parks. The dispute is understood as one underpinned by different interpretations of who and what a park is for, and by contrasting views on the impact of interruptions to everyday routines. The Formula E events reduced public access, but the dispute surrounding the events arguably made Battersea Park more public by generating debate and by provoking local activists to defend their park