Operation city
“One of the more significant changes in the world economy has been that manufacturing activities have been spatially dispersed while at the same time production-related services such as finance, accounting, and management have been spatially centralized.” (Saskia Sassen)
This picture poses a dilemma for smaller cities: Realistically they cannot offer the same density and complexity of metropolitan regions. So, is there a chance for smaller regions or cities to compete?
Driven by the hypothesis that an aggregation of their hard and soft assets, an “archipelago” of cities can match the array of function and resources usually affiliated with bigger cities while simultaneously delivering superior living qualities, we started with the research project Operation City in 2000. It takes the central region of Upper Austrian as a case study to explore the competitive potential of webs, chains and networks of cities and smaller regions in the age of globalization. Goal of the research, which is partly undertaken in collaboration with the FutureLab Ars Electronica, is to develop a new way of looking at the central region of Upper Austria in order to develop a serious of strategies and impulses for future operations.
Research Team
Achleitener Robert, Atzwanger Regina, Bieregger Peter, Dietmannsberger Nikolaus, Greinöcker Margit, Hartl Olivia, Heike Nösslböck Hutterer Doris, Koll Joachim,
Kollmann Alexander, Koppelstätter Franz, Mayer Wolfgang, Mock Clemens, Naderer Vinzenz, Nobis Margit, Perner Monika, Pohn-Malzner Sabine, Reisinger Tina, Schauenberger Pia, Shamiyeh Michael, Spieler Angelika, Stempfer Wolfgang, Tanner Kurt, Wilhelm Gunar, Wilhelm Simon, Zeilermayr Martin, Zellinger Anna-Margarita
Ars Electronica Center
