OECD Territorial Reviews

Description

"The Champagne-Ardenne region in the north-east of France enjoys comparative advantages in a number of sectors, including mechanics, metalworking, packaging and agriculture, and of course Champagne. Although it still ranks fifth among French regions in terms of GDP/capita, Champagne-Ardenne lost ground during the recession of the early 1990s. This report analyses the strategy conducted by the Regional Council to strengthen the catching-up process and diversify the regional economy. It insists on the need to focus on two prime engines of growth: entrepreneurship and foreign direct investment. Moreover, increasing the competitiveness of the region calls for special efforts to help Champagne-Ardenne move towards more knowledge-based economic activities, to stimulate research and to encourage SMEs to network and innovate. While a better balance between agricultural policies and rural policies needs to be found, the region also has an important role to play in fighting urban decay - Champagne-Ardenne is one of the regions in France with the largest proportions of total population living in sensitive urban zones.The report also suggests that the potential for urban development could be enhanced by encouraging co-operation among cities and fostering the establishment of urban networks."

Description

"OECD's territorial review of Korea. It finds that deep societal changes against the backdrop of rapid economic growth have characterised Korea in the Post-War period. Most notably, the tripling of its population has induced significant territorial transformations. Despite the effort to promote balanced regional growth, Korea is still characterised by substantial geographical polarisation. An economically dominant Capital region lodges more than 45 per cent of the country’s population, producing nearly half of its GDP. Over the past decade, policy makers have developed a comprehensive spatial perspective, they have put in place policies tackling the use of land, infrastructure and problems in lagging regions, and they have significantly restructured territorial governance. However, further action may help fully exploit the on-going efforts. Cross-sectoral co-ordination is weak and better correspondence between the overall spatial vision and financial support to individual public projects seems appropriate. Territorial governance remains centrally oriented with the result that limited local autonomy may hinder regional innovation directed to sustainable economic growth. The focus on large firms may fail in exploiting the considerable contribution of SMEs to regional development."

Subjects

Series Statement

• OECD Territorial Reviews

Other Editions

• OECD Territorial Reviews: Korea 2001[electronic resource] /OECD Publishing2001-01-01
• OECD Territorial Reviews[electronic resource] /OECD Publishing2002-01-01