Public-Private Partnerships For Local Economic Development

Public-private partnerships are becoming increasingly important in the local economic development efforts of many cities. This collection of essays compares U.S. cities with those in western Europe. Conceptual issues are discussed, and comparisons at the city level illustrate the process, pitfalls, and results of such partnerships. Readers will be able to understand the types of partnership arrangements used in each country. Factors contributing to the success of these arrangements are discussed and compared. Scholars and students of local economic development and public finance, as well as public officials and economic development practitioners will benefit from the unique comparative framework used in this volume.

An examination of the role of public-private partnerships for local economic development in the United States and western Europe.

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Eleven papers focusing on public-private partnerships formed for local economic development in Europe and the United States. The chapters are intended to accomplish these three purposes: describe the changing role of government responsibility in these partnerships from both conceptual and empirical perspectives; identify major elements of partnerships and determine the strategies of public agencies use to manage their components of partnership agreements; and bring to light the various roles these partnerships play through cross-country comparison. Some of the topics treated include the diffusion of information technology in Sweden, economic development in the rural France, and urban revitalization strategies in German cities. Annotation c. by Book News, Inc., Portland, Or.

NORMAN WALZER is Professor of Economics and Director of the Illinois Institute for Rural Affairs at Western Illinois University.

BRIAN D. JACOBS is Reader in Public Policy at Staffordshire University, England.