Michael Porter's Cluster Theory as a local and regional development tool – the rise and fall of cluster policy in the UK

There has been much written on industrial agglomeration, but it is Michael Porter’s cluster theory, above all others, which has come to dominate local and regional economic development policy. His work has been adopted by the OECD, EU, national and local governments the world over. He and his consultancy group have led reviews of national economic growth strategies in dozens of countries. This rise to prominence, however, is in the face of widespread critique from academics. Cluster theory’s theoretical foundations, its methodological approach and practical implementation have all been unpicked, leading some to label little more than a successful brand riding the wave of new regionalist fashions. Despite libraries of incredibly useful books and articles on clusters, there remains an absence of work which interrogates the translation of clusters into, and then through local and national policy. The aim of this article is to go some way to remedying the situation by examining the influence of Porter’s cluster theory charted through an examin- ation of UK regional development policy in the 1990s and 2000s. To help map the journey of clusters into and through UK economic development policy actor-network theory is adopted as an explanatory framework

The accidental youth club: skateboarding in NewcastleGateshead.

Skateboarders re-invent and interrogate the physical structure of cityscapes as they use spaces, buildings and objects for skating. However skaters are routinely regarded by the civic and business interests who dominate city centre planning and regeneration as, at best, a nuisance and at worst an unruly and dangerous blight. This paper reports findings from a research project involving skaters which begins to unpick this stereotype. A participatory methodology combining mapping, interviews and observation was used to identify spots used by skaters in Newcastle and Gateshead (North East England). The key spots were characterized using Woolley & Johns’(2001) criteria: trickability, accessibility, sociability and compatibility. Findings reveal two further 12 factors – temporal and relational dimensions – are crucial the journeys skaters embark on. Sociability was the one constant factor defining favoured spots. The study revealed a sociable, entrepreneurial, creative skate scene. Far from being a problem the skaters add to the social capital of the cityscape. Our findings suggest rather than designing out skaters from the city the civic authorities should work with skaters to sustain their scene as a positive benefit to city regeneration

Geographies of Skateboarding - Newcastle upon Tyne and Gateshead, UK

This map is the result of a year-long research project on the geographies of skateboarding in Newcastle upon Tyne and Gateshead, UK. Skateboarders are often seen as invaders of urban space, subverting it for their own purposes, contrary to the normative actions of others. In the capitalist system, abstract space is created in which behaviour is prescribed and dictated, often for commercial consumption practices. Borden (2001) has suggested that the act of skateboarding the city rejects this use of urban space by implicitly critiquing space and architecture as a commodity. Through the reproduction of space as a play zone, skateboarders offer no monetary exchange value for the time which they spend at a location. This frequently leads to conflict with those seeking to control urban spaces designed for capitalist consumption

Public sector led development in the Northumberland Heritage Cluster

This thesis maps, for the first time, the Northumberland Heritage Cluster (NHC). Outlining the key theories within clusters discourse I develop a multi-perspective approach to understanding clusters. In parallel with this I draw on understandings of heritage to help identify who, how and why heritages are harnessed by various sectors. In applying these frameworks, I begin by using a Porter-inspired approach to identify a cluster consisting of activity linked to five heritage related sectors: (1) the cultural industries (2) the land-based industries (3) tourism (4) local food and drink and (5) the cultural heritage sector. A series of key ‘assets’ are highlighted within these sectors that present development opportunities for the NHC. Building on this foundation I delve further into the cluster to uncover its socio-economic characteristics and institutional architecture. I identify an embryonic agglomeration with a dominant public sector and high levels of collaboration. A common enterprise, or ‘industrial purpose’, is revealed that aids collective learning and co-operation amongst cluster members. This ‘spirit’ has its source in Northumberland’s history, the role of the public sector and an altruism not found in many clusters. I argue that heritage plays a key role as a catalysing resource that provides a collective identity and inspires cluster members to work for the greater good. In addition to economic objectives, community and environmental development activity are important parts of the NHC. These sustainable development objectives are illustrated through a series of case studies. In mapping the characteristics of the Northumberland Heritage Cluster, this thesis seeks to challenge stylised notions about the role of clusters in local and regional development. I argue they hold the potential to spur holistic development with more diverse outcomes than simply economic growth.EThOS - Electronic Theses Online ServiceEconomic and Social Research Council : Northumberland Learning and Skills CouncilGBUnited Kingdo

Playing Out: The Importance of the City as a Playground for Skateboard and Parkour

The authors document young skaters and freerunners’ improvisational use of public space and the development of their interpersonal relationships and learning

The Impact of COVID-19 on the Screen Industries - Written Evidence Submitted by XR Stories and Screen Industries Growth Network, University of York to UK Parliament in response to their call for evidence on the impact of Covid-19 on DCMS sectors

This report contains written evidence submitted to the UK Parliament in response to their call for evidence on the impact of Covid-19 on DCMS sectors. This report was prepared by Dr Jon Swords on behalf of XR Stories and SIGN at University of York, with input from Dr Nathan Townsend, Professor Andrew Higson, Dr Anna Ozimek, Dr Sam Stockley-Patel, Professor Damian Murphy and the R&D work stream team, John Rose-Adams and Caroline White. Additional input came from Dr Jennifer Johns (University of Bristol) as part of a research project exploring the impact of COVID-19 on TV freelancers with Dr Swords. We would like to thank the research participants who gave up their time to share their experiences and insights with us

What is Virtual Production? An Explainer & Research Agenda

Virtual production harnesses the power of virtualising technologies to create digital environments in, and through which film and television can be made. In combination, these technologies offer more flexibility to filmmakers and the potential to cut carbon emissions. But while the technologies at the centre of virtual production are not new, their application in combination with each other is generating new approaches to production which are evolving fast. In this report, we highlight the prominent technologies involved in virtual production and how these have been used in three approaches to virtual production: live action green/blue screen, entirely virtual worlds and LED volume virtual production. The report then goes on to examine the ‘emergent orthodoxies’ of virtual production: what the opportunities and challenges associated with virtual production are and how virtual production is changing established production workflows. We conclude by outlining a research agenda for further work on virtual production, posing questions about how the industry and its associated working practices may develop and how virtual production might address skills shortages and equality, diversity and inclusion