Contenu du sommaire : Varia

The cultural dimension of territorial development Taking into account the cultural aspects of development corresponds to an evolution of economic reality but also to an epistemological evolution in spatial and regional economics. After having identified the different meanings of the concept of territory in the literature, we privilege the definition which makes territory a construction of actors who share a specific culture of development. The cultural dimension which is recipient of all development policy is however difficult to integrate into the frame of the standard economic analysis. We therefore still need a significant dialogue between economy and culture.

The evolution of “Syal” debate : an economist's view This paper sets up a balance of the economic approach of the concept of Localized Agri-food System, since its emergence ten years ago. It assesses its relationship with the more general Local Productive System approach : is it a mere variety of LPS by sector or does it entail a specific relationship to place ? The paper reckons that, despite proximity between the two notions, LAS analysis features a specific relationship to place, through qualification processes of food products and its link to sustainable development.

Territorialization : a systemic approach for the understanding of the phenomenon Globalization leads to rapid and thorough restructuration of territories. Three case-studies have been chosen, within the Upper-Rhine area, in order to test the relevance of the notion of territorialization. The city of Mulhouse as a historical model of industrialization, the scientific and technological cross-border network “Bio Valley”, and the cluster “Pôle de Compétitivité Véhicule du Futur” devoted to innovations in transportation technologies. On this basis, we propose a general analytical instrument explaining the ways and steps of territorialization, using specific notions like bifurcation and emergence.

Local development and complex systems : an analytical framework Complex systems analysis may be used in order to deal with diverse and complex local development. The aim of the paper is to build a comprehensive model based on new trends issuing from regional economics, local governance and policy analysis. Four dynamics emerge : the agents' network, the project implementation, a homogenous space and a governing process. The model is applied to the cross-bordering Franco-Belgian Eurometropole connecting Lille (France), Kortrijk (Flanders) and Tournai (Wallonia).

Spatial interweaving in territorial analysis : formalization, modelization and simulation In this article the spatial interweaving is interlinked with systemic territorial functioning and sustainable development. Several methods helpful for a better understanding and a better anticipation of the territorial dynamics are proposed. During these dynamics, potential changes of the territorial systems depend on interactions and interweaving, which are spatial, reticular and scalars as well. These kinds of interactions can occur both, in long time temporality but also in short time temporality. Two case studies are expanded ; the first one is focused on interweaving of territorial vulnerabilities in a system of risk generated by the electric grid. The second one deals with the possible futures in the border area Franco-Italo-Monegasque, of which French area should be served in 2020 by a high speed rail.

Regenerating brownfields and promoting sustainable development in France and in Switzerland : what convergences ? Our paper aims to analyze the economic and urban changes undertook by French and Swiss cities and stressed in the two concepts of sustainability and changeability (“mutabilité” in French). Its goal is to assess how these two concepts can be opposite, convergent or synonymous when they relate to urban regeneration. Such a comparative work renews the analysis of today's planning policies. As sustainability can be considered as one of the key paradigm of planning guidance and policies since the last fifteen years, changeability can be used to describe the regeneration of derelict spaces, in other words, brownfield lands. Therefore, the convergence between changeability and sustainable development may appear as obvious as both relate to the perspective of implementing a more compact city. However, we will notice thanks to three different cases studies, that changeability cannot be always considered as a synonym to sustainability.

Measuring sustainable development : indicators sets and local settings Although the definition of sustainable development continues to be debated, a consensus has emerged on the necessity to act locally in order to solve global issues. Goals and methods of public action should be redefined, and we need to design new tools to measure sustainable development at a local scale. Researchers have conducted several case studies in various – yet often similar – types of environments in order to identify relevant indices or systems of indicators. By reviewing the applied papers of the academic literature, we examine if the diversity of environments always requires different systems of indicators. The results of these studies show a considerable heterogeneity among systems of indicators, which does not allow us to establish links between the suggested indicators and the characteristics of territories.

Economic integration and efficiency seeking FDI : a three region model *This paper discusses the evolution of the supply chain and welfare under economic integration in a three-region framework (one developed and two developing regions), with each region at a different stage of development. Economic integration is measured by the reduction of inter-regional trade costs and by the reduction of communication costs between headquarters and plants of multinational firms. We showed that the increasing number of emerging and developing economies participating in the World economy and their relative competitiveness may considerably change the classic outcomes of the new economic geography. More countries (developed, emerging or developing) may enjoy industry accumulation (or FDIs increase), a periphery being able to become a centre.

Foreign Direct Investment, Tax Regimes, Financing Methods and Regional Economic Policies Countries or regions willing to swell foreign direct investments on their territory have to account for international tax rules and parameters as well as financial behaviour of the multinational group. Grounded on the theoretical framework of effective taxation, this paper shows how the exemption or the credit regime implemented by the home country and the financing structure chosen by the multinational firm (simple and more complicated financing methods like the use of a hybrid instrument or the creation of a branch in another jurisdiction) affect the efficiency of investment incentives granted by the host country (or region).