The Local and Regional Economic Development Handbook, launched on 27 April, contains a wealth of practical case studies and examples that span the globe.

The Handbook highlights France as a leader in managed industrial transitions, innovation-led development, and social policies. Case study highlights include:

𝗟𝘆𝗼𝗻’𝘀 𝗳𝗼𝗿𝘄𝗮𝗿𝗱-𝗹𝗼𝗼𝗸𝗶𝗻𝗴 𝗲𝗰𝗼𝗻𝗼𝗺𝗶𝗰 𝘀𝘁𝗿𝗮𝘁𝗲𝗴𝘆 prioritises ecological transition, social cohesion, and green technology positioning to lead Europe toward sustainable economies. It deliberately differentiates the city through liveable, sustainable, and innovative urbanism rather than attempting to compete directly on raw scale with larger capital cities. Lyon is a great example of how distinct local economic rationales and strategies can be built around specific territorial advantages and sustainability goals.

𝗧𝗵𝗲 𝗕𝘂𝗿𝗴𝘂𝗻𝗱𝘆 𝗪𝗶𝗻𝗲 𝗥𝗲𝗴𝗶𝗼𝗻 𝗶𝘀 𝗰𝗶𝘁𝗲𝗱 𝗮𝘀 𝗮 𝗵𝗶𝘀𝘁𝗼𝗿𝗶𝗰 𝗿𝗲𝗴𝗶𝗼𝗻𝗮𝗹 𝗶𝗻𝗱𝘂𝘀𝘁𝗿𝗶𝗮𝗹 𝗰𝗹𝘂𝘀𝘁𝗲𝗿 that’s built from leveraging specific geographical advantages alongside generations of specialized knowledge to generate substantial economic impact. It exhibits tight vertical integration where networks of estates, nurseries, laboratories, and cooperages share knowledge informally. It serves as an example of how natural resource endowments and historical development paths cultivate highly specialized, resilient geographic clusters.

𝗣𝗮𝗿𝗶𝘀 𝗙𝗮𝘀𝗵𝗶𝗼𝗻 𝗗𝗶𝘀𝘁𝗿𝗶𝗰𝘁 is another cluster example. Paris’s globally dominant fashion industry employs 154,000 people and generates tens of billions of euros in annual revenues. The high density of specialized fabric suppliers, pattern makers, and sample rooms enables rapid prototyping, allowing designs to move from concept to sample within 48 hours.

𝗙𝗿𝗮𝗻𝗰𝗲’𝘀 𝗣𝗼̂𝗹𝗲𝘀 𝗱𝗲 𝗖𝗼𝗺𝗽𝗲́𝘁𝗶𝘁𝗶𝘃𝗶𝘁𝗲́ (𝗖𝗼𝗺𝗽𝗲𝘁𝗶𝘁𝗶𝘃𝗲𝗻𝗲𝘀𝘀 𝗖𝗹𝘂𝘀𝘁𝗲𝗿𝘀) foster localised collaboration on strategic technological themes between private businesses, public research laboratories, and higher education institutions. The framework integrates funding for collaborative R&D alongside structural programs such as Territoires d’Industrie to revitalize regional industrial heartlands facing transition challenges.

I recently discussed the Handbook with Dane Carlson at the EconDevShow here – https://lnkd.in/ezJPWaaf

Get your copy of the Handbook at https://lnkd.in/eiMmH-3G

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