The rhetoric–reality gap of cities’ success: learning from the practice of Scottish cities

an article by Julie T. Miao (University of Melbourne, Parkville, VIC, Australia) and Duncan Maclennan (Policy Scotland, University of Glasgow, UK) published in Regional Studies Volume 54 Issue 12 (December 2019)

Abstract

This paper argues that the shift from a top-down coordination of governments’ policies for the economies of cities towards the bottom-up self-organization of cities is not necessarily supported by appropriately competent local economic management capabilities and resources.

In Scotland just before the advent of City Deals, various constraints in policy-making logic chains, data availability, accounting focus and planning coordination were found that continuously limit the efforts of cities in shaping a successful economy.

For devolution to shape both national productivity growth and locally led success, the gap between rhetoric and reality must be narrowed substantially and quickly.

JEL classification: O2, O18, O21, R58

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