- Urban Planning, Japan, World Cities, Global cities, Globalization, Cities and globalization/Global cities, and 26 moreEconomics of Innovation, Economic Geography, Science and Technology Parks, Technology parks, Innovation Hubs, Strategic Planning, Geopolitics of Energy, Knowledge Economy, Urban Public Open Space, Urban And Regional Planning, Regional and Local Governance, Human Geography, Knowledge-based Economy, Urban Design, Local and Regional Economic Development, Local Government and Local Development, Perth, Local Government, Economic Inequality, Income inequality, City and Regional Planning, Regional economic development, Local governance, Local Economic Development, Regional development, and Social Policyedit
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As the chapters in this book reveal, cities are embedded within myriad network types at multiple scales linking people and places both within and between cities across the globe. These links are uneven, with some people and places more... more
As the chapters in this book reveal, cities are embedded within myriad network types at multiple scales linking people and places both within and between cities across the globe. These links are uneven, with some people and places more connected than others, depending on their proximity, which is the focus of this chapter. Within and between cities, proximity can be related to geography as well as other dimensions reflecting closeness. For example, consider a close childhood friend you grew up with. Your spatial or geographic proximity would have been fairly close when you were young, becoming more distant if you decided to move away to pursue a career or tertiary studies. However, you may still regularly see each other and communicate via social media, even if you or your friend then get a job in another city. In this instance, your geographic proximity to this friend has decreased, but your social proximity has remained constant, or even increased. In the following sections, we explain proximity as a concept and how different types collectively shape the connectedness of different cities. The above scenario is a simple example of a complex issue that network scientists have tried to examine through the concept of proximity. Understanding how people and places are linked in a multitude of social, economic, political and organisational relationships, across time and space provides insight into interesting research and policy questions. Complex global networks can be segmented to smaller spatial scales, such as the individual, or aggregated to the neighbourhood, city, provincial, national or regional scales. Likewise, networks can comprise relationships within and/or between firms, organisations, institutions and governments; these serve as foundational to the diverse empirical studies approached from a network perspective. Although these can often reveal vast and complex networks, ego networks radiating from individual (that is, node-level) daily social and economic interactions are the building blocks of globally connected systems.
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Globalisation continuously produces novel economic relationships mediated by flows of goods, services, capital, and information between countries. The activity of multinational corporations (MNCs) has become a primary driver of... more
Globalisation continuously produces novel economic relationships mediated by flows of goods, services, capital, and information between countries. The activity of multinational corporations (MNCs) has become a primary driver of globalisation, shaping these relationships through vast networks of firms and their subsidiaries. Extensive empirical research has suggested that globalisation is not a singular process, and that variation in the intensity of international economic interactions can be captured by ‘multiple globalisations’, however how this differs across industry sectors has remained unclear. This paper analyses how sectoral variation in the ‘structural architecture’ of international economic relations can be understood using a combination of social network analysis (SNA) measures based on firm-subsidiary ownership linkages. Applying an approach that combines network-level measures (Density, Clustering, Degree, Assortativity) in ways yet to be explored in the spatial networks...
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The past decade has been one of the most dramatic in Perth\u27s history. Against the background of a dynamic global economy and expansion of the State\u27s minerals and energy sectors, the city has experienced an economic, social and... more
The past decade has been one of the most dramatic in Perth\u27s history. Against the background of a dynamic global economy and expansion of the State\u27s minerals and energy sectors, the city has experienced an economic, social and cultural transformation. This transformation has posed numerous questions about the future of Perth. This includes questions related to business competitiveness, global connectivity, urban policy and planning, quality of life, and social change. As the pace of change increased during the 2000s, the Committee for Perth and The University of Western Australia embarked on a unique research partnership (FACTBase) to better understand how the city was being transformed. The FACTBase project aimed to strengthen the evidence base underpinning the dialogue about the challenges the city faced, the ways in which it was changing, and how major challenges might be addressed.In short, a central focus was to ‘dispel myth and folklore’ by drawing on evidence rather than anecdote. Since mid 2009, this partnership has contributed to over 60 publications, including FACTBase Bulletins and a number of major reports. The topics covered have been diverse, spanning themes such as the geography of corporate power, labour market change, social inequality, local government reform, retail trading, gender equity and ethnic diversity. The work has been used to inform public policy, stimulate community debate, to underpin local planning, and as an educational resource. This report draws on some of the work that has been undertaken as part of the Committee for Perth – UWA partnership. It paints a picture of change over the past decade, and lays the foundation for further discussion and debate about the future of Perth
Research Interests: Cultural Studies, Geography, Economic Geography, Multiculturalism, Regional and Local Governance, and 15 moreLocal Government, Australia, Local Economic Development, Local Government and Local Development, Economic Development, Regional development, Regional Planning, Regional economic development, City planning, Population, City and Regional Planning, Regional Planning Development, Economic Indicators, City and Urban Planning, and Cities and towns
The geography of firm location is a longstanding focus in urban studies. This paper examines the distribution of Australian Securities Exchange (ASX) listed headquarters in Australian cities. It focusses on change in the distribution of... more
The geography of firm location is a longstanding focus in urban studies. This paper examines the distribution of Australian Securities Exchange (ASX) listed headquarters in Australian cities. It focusses on change in the distribution of firm locations between 2013 and 2016 by sector, with a lens on the differences within and between Australia’s five largest cities. Findings indicate that the number of listed firm headquarters diminished overall, and that declining activity in the resources sector was primarily responsible. Cities in which mining and energy play a key role, particularly Perth, experienced the greatest headquarters losses, while Melbourne was the only city to gain firm headquarters over the three-year interval. On a more local scale, central business districts (CBDs) lost firm activity across all cities, while suburbs gained firm headquarters, particularly inner-ring suburbs adjacent to CBDs. This change was led in particular by the healthcare and information technolo...
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The Fast Growing Outer Suburbs of Australia’s capital cities are home to nearly 5 million people. Growing at double the national rate, their population will grow to 7.5 million buy 2031. Between 2011 and 2016 these suburbs generated 35%... more
The Fast Growing Outer Suburbs of Australia’s capital cities are home to nearly 5 million people. Growing at double the national rate, their population will grow to 7.5 million buy 2031. Between 2011 and 2016 these suburbs generated 35% of population growth and 25% of job growth but only 13% of jobs and 11% of GDP. Infrastructure is central to economic growth, and investment in the right projects can help to bridge this gap between population and employment. However, between 2011 and 2016 growth areas received only 13% of infrastructure investment and the infrastructure backlog in growth areas will reach $70 billion within 15 years. The need for economic and employment growth and the growing backlog highlight the need for the development of productive and transformational infrastructure in Australia’s growth areas. The infrastructure shortfall combined with high population growth has produced a range of economic and social issues in high growth local government areas, including: • T...
Research Interests: Business, Urban Geography, Economics, Economic Geography, Urban Planning, and 12 moreUrban Regeneration, Urban Studies, Economic Development, Urban And Regional Planning, Metropolitan Planning, City planning, Urban Design, Population, City and Regional Planning, Metropolitan Governance, Population Growth, and Amenity
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One of the prevailing approaches to the study of the global economy is the analysis of global city networks based on the activities of multinational firms. Research in this vein generally conceptualises cities as nodes, and the intra-firm... more
One of the prevailing approaches to the study of the global economy is the analysis of global city networks based on the activities of multinational firms. Research in this vein generally conceptualises cities as nodes, and the intra-firm relations between them as ties, forming the building blocks for globally scaled interurban networks. While such an approach has provided a valuable heuristic for understanding how cities are globally connected, and how the global economy can be conceived of as a network of cities, there is a lack of understanding as to how and why cities are connected, and which factors contribute to the existence of ties between cities. Here, we explain how five distinct socio-spatial dimensions contribute to global city network structure through their diverse effects on interurban dyads. Based on data from 13,583 multinational firms with 163,821 international subsidiary locations drawn from 208 global securities exchanges, we hypothesise how regional, linguistic,...
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Research Interests: Human Geography, Russian Studies, Economics, Economic Geography, Social Networks, and 15 moreGlobalization, Clusters & Networks, Geopolitics, Australia, Capitalism, Oil and gas, Applied Economics, Russia, Economic System, Interdependence, Restructuring, Economics and Econometrics, Urban Socio-Spatial Differentiation, Social Network Analysis, and Variegated Capitalism
Australian junior mining firms’ globalisation strategies and roles inside the sector remain understudied in economic geography. Such firms are often overshadowed by larger global mining interests, whose operations drive most foreign... more
Australian junior mining firms’ globalisation strategies and roles inside the sector remain understudied in economic geography. Such firms are often overshadowed by larger global mining interests, whose operations drive most foreign direct investment, capital, and operational expenditure tied to resource extraction. Unlike large multinationals and state‐owned enterprises, junior firms are nimble, often untethered from path‐dependent national systems, less encumbered by statutory constraints or corporate structures, and less accountable to shareholders. This study sought to understand globalisation strategies and roles among junior mining firms by reference to a case study of 55 Australian junior firms in Latin America. We used spatial analysis to uncover three patterns of junior firm globalisation strategies and roles: specialised service providers supporting the further development of mature and emerging mining industries; regional spearheads opening new destinations; and mineral a...
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Global economic activity is networked through cross‐national linkages between firm headquarters, branches, and subsidiaries. Brokerage emerges as a key territorial function of this network, with some places acting as gateways or... more
Global economic activity is networked through cross‐national linkages between firm headquarters, branches, and subsidiaries. Brokerage emerges as a key territorial function of this network, with some places acting as gateways or intermediaries for flows of global knowledge, information, or trade. This function is particularly salient for small states and territories leveraging the benefits of borrowed size by offering global professional services, warehousing, logistics, shipping, and finance to wealthy nations or high net individuals. Nonetheless, to date our understanding of how small states and territories facilitate wealth accumulation is limited to broad concepts of their role as “gateways” or “brokers.” Drawing on a typology of brokerage and a network analysis applied to the ties between approximately 700,000 firm headquarter and subsidiary locations of 13 of the world's largest stock exchanges, we explore the brokerage role of small states and territories through case stu...
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Research Interests: Business, Cultural Studies, Asian Studies, Economic Geography, International Business, and 15 moreSocial Networking, Asia Pacific Region, Internationalization, Globalisation and Development, Financial Markets, Multinational Corporations, International Business Strategy, Business and Management, Asia Pacific, Sociology and Political science, STOCK EXCHANGE, Asian Culture, Social Network Analysis, MULTINATIONAL CORPORATION, and Political Science and International relations
Research Interests: Geography, Human Geography, Environmental Science, Economic Geography, Globalization, and 15 moreCancer, Global Studies, Applied Economics, Clusters, Industrial Clusters, Geografía Económica, Connectivity, Cluster, Conectividad, Géographie éConomique, Konnektivität, Aglomeraciones, F, Análisis De Las Redes Sociales, and connectivité
Research Interests: Business, Finance, Human Geography, Urban Geography, Economic Geography, and 15 moreSocial Sciences, Markets, Internationalization, China, Urban And Regional Planning, Hong Kong, Cities, Investment, Global, Shanghai, Geography of Finance, Location, producer services, Corporate networks, and Foreign Banking
Defining the role of cities within economic networks has been a key theoretical challenge, particularly as nuanced understandings of positionality are increasingly championed over hierarchical notions of influence or power in the World... more
Defining the role of cities within economic networks has been a key theoretical challenge, particularly as nuanced understandings of positionality are increasingly championed over hierarchical notions of influence or power in the World City Network (WCN). This paper applies social network analysis (SNA) to identify the critical role that a wide range of cities plays in the Australian economic system. Drawing upon the set of Australian Securities Exchange (ASX) listed firms, four distinct sub-networks are compared against the overall urban network. Each of the materials, energy, industrials, and financials sector sub-networks are found to have unique configurations of inter-urban relations, which are articulated through institutional and industry-specific factors, grounded in diverse histories and path-dependent trajectories. This analysis applies five different centrality measures to understand how positionality within the overall network and respective sub-networks might better inf...
Research Interests: Sociology, Human Geography, Urban Geography, Economic Geography, Globalization, and 12 moreGlobal cities, Economic Growth, Australia, Urban Studies, Cities and globalization/Global cities, Urban And Regional Planning, Applied Economics, Corporate Strategy, World City Network, Centrality, Social Network Analysis, and Situated
This paper develops a comparative means by which to understand metropolitan spatial structure through the dynamics of economic activities. Clustering and suburbanization have been key processes within the contemporary urban landscape, but... more
This paper develops a comparative means by which to understand metropolitan spatial structure through the dynamics of economic activities. Clustering and suburbanization have been key processes within the contemporary urban landscape, but few scholarly accounts have systematically merged the two to explain the geographies of economic activity. Using firm location as a variable to discern sector- and industry-based locational requirements, we explore land-use and economic activity in Australia’s five largest metropolitan areas. Drawing upon the respective headquarters and branch office locations of a set of publically traded firms, we seek to establish general spatial patterns across Australian cities using two proxy measures for clustering and suburbanization, being well-established drivers of firm locational choice. Despite the complexity that post-industrial and suburbanizing processes add to metropolitan land-use patterns, we contend that certain patterns exist that can be generalized from one context to another across urban space, and that certain emerging trends such as the development of CBD-fringe precincts merit greater attention.
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Given we are currently in a census year, Australian Population Studies sought to place a spotlight on all things census and put out a special call for short commentary papers on proposed new census topics and questions. This special issue... more
Given we are currently in a census year, Australian Population Studies sought to place a spotlight on all things census and put out a special call for short commentary papers on proposed new census topics and questions. This special issue draws together a select number of papers that answered this call. The aim was to broaden the conversation and stimulate useful discussion about potential new topics and questions that might be considered for the 2026 Census. Contained in this special issue are commentary pieces that cover a range of topics, including (1) measuring multi-locational living; (2) highly mobile populations; (3) long-distance commuting; (4) commuting to places of education; (5) financial wellbeing; (6) gender identity and sexual orientation; and (7) ethnicity and ancestry. Together we hope readers find the collection of papers thought-provoking and seek to draw on in this special issue as a new consolidated resource for scholars and practitioners interested in the census. We note that some papers did not quite make the timing to appear in this special issue of Australian Population Studies and will instead be published in a special section in the forthcoming November issue of the journal.
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City-regions are conferred economic advantage through their brokerage roles, which close structural holes between other city-regions that would otherwise not be connected within firm networks. Here, we identify city-regions whose... more
City-regions are conferred economic advantage through their brokerage roles, which close structural holes between other city-regions that would otherwise not be connected within firm networks. Here, we identify city-regions whose brokerage roles are defined by their network positionality as intermediaries using flows based on ownership relations between headquarters and subsidiary locations. Applying Gould and Fernandez's framework of five potential brokerage types, we find city-regions play one or more brokerage roles characterised by both global and domestic flows. Moving beyond understandings of brokerage as a position, we explain diversity in brokerage as defined by economic processes underlying urban networks.
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The globalization of firms is shaped at multiple scales by interdependencies and connections between places. The degree to which firm strategic behavior is global depends on capitalist variegation that reflects national particularity and... more
The globalization of firms is shaped at multiple scales by interdependencies and connections between places. The degree to which firm strategic behavior is global depends on capitalist variegation that reflects national particularity and path dependence linked to underlying global industry restructuring. This article develops an analytical framework for studying spatial differentiation of sectoral modes of variegated capitalism by applying a world city networks (WCN) approach to a highly globalized economic sector. It applies social network analysis to 24,299 intrafirm ties of 2,121 oil and gas firms in Russia and Australia linking 1,339 cities. An analysis of national networks, as they were in 2019, showed an introverted and centralized city network structure in Russia. Ties to domestic production centers and strategic geopolitical partners were strongly focused on Moscow, reflecting Russia’s state capitalism and the Soviet legacy of the state-led planning. In contrast, the liberal market orientation of Australia showed an extroverted and decentralized network, with strong links between Perth, Sydney, Melbourne, Brisbane, Adelaide and international energy hubs, global cities, and tax havens. We conclude that studying sectoral city network structures provides a more nuanced appreciation of economic processes as artifacts of embedded politico-territorial relations as they reflect the underlying role of the state affecting the strategic behavior of firms, essentially profiling sectoral modes of variegated capitalisms. This article seeks to enhance engagement by economic geographers with WCN research, by providing a novel comparative framework for capturing and interpreting uneven (variegated) spatial outcomes of diverse political–institutional contexts vis-à-vis specialized economic activity. By establishing a dialogue with variegated capitalisms literature, we extend the ongoing debates over how politico-territorial and sectoral relations contribute to city networks formation.
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Fair representation of different communities of interest is a central tenet of democracy. In Australia, governments at all levels historically employed rural weightings to maintain the representation of sparsely-populated regions.... more
Fair representation of different communities of interest is a central tenet of democracy. In Australia, governments at all levels historically employed rural weightings to maintain the representation of sparsely-populated regions. However, these have fallen out of favour as demands for one-person, one-vote equality have become the norm. This nominal equality can create other forms of bias in areas of uneven population which have distinct communities of interest, as is the case in many rural local governments. This paper explores this bias by unpacking findings of a ward boundary review in the rural local government Shire of Dandaragan in Western Australia. Drawing on interviews with councilors and community stakeholders, it examines different proposals for fair representation via ward and non-ward based structures. It finds that fair representation of all communities is challenged by inherent biases in the criteria for drawing ward boundaries that are often not well understood by those involved. It shows how a ‘no ward’ system which allows smaller communities to coordinate behind a single reputable candidate can generate fairer representation than a system of wards whose boundaries may or may not align with communities of interest.
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This paper investigates the role of tax havens and offshore financial centers (THOFC) in the global economy. Network analysis of 24 industry sectors suggests that THOFC feature prominently in knowledge-intensive activities such as... more
This paper investigates the role of tax havens and offshore financial centers (THOFC) in the global economy. Network analysis of 24 industry sectors suggests that THOFC feature prominently in knowledge-intensive activities such as Pharmaceuticals, Biotechnology, and Semiconductors, and are least significant in industrial activities such as Automobiles and Consumer Durables, and place-bound activities such as Real Estate and Retailing. Contrasting with the notion that most THOFC are 'rogue' offshore territories, the most significant are either continental nation-states or British territorial dependencies. We conclude that global firm networks often mimic the geographies of taxation more than actual production or consumption activities.
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Region and territory are core concepts within the discipline of Geography—being the critical lens through which geographers frame and understand the world in theory, method and research practice. But as objects of geographic research they... more
Region and territory are core concepts within the discipline of Geography—being the critical lens through which geographers frame and understand the world in theory, method and research practice. But as objects of geographic research they are undefined and amorphous—with no exact definition nor unified interpretation of what a “region” or a “territory” actually is. This ambiguity has produced conceptual difficulties that continue to intensify under rising global complexity—a phenomenon making them ever-increasingly more important. As such, it was with great interest that I read the Handbook on the Geographies of Regions and Territories, edited by Anssi Paasi (Professor of Geography, University of Oulu, Finland), John Harrison (Reader in Human Geography, Loughborough University, UK), and Martin Jones (Professor of Human Geography and Deputy Vice-Chancellor, Staffordshire University, UK). While I found the work highly relevant to my own research, the most striking realisation was the extent to which the book advances scholarly understandings irrespective of the spatial scale investigated or conceptual approach taken.
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Global economic activity is networked through cross-national linkages between firm headquarters, branches, and subsidiaries. Brokerage emerges as a key territorial function of this network, with some places acting as gateways or... more
Global economic activity is networked through cross-national linkages between firm headquarters, branches, and subsidiaries. Brokerage emerges as a key territorial function of this network, with some places acting as gateways or intermediaries for flows of global knowledge, information, or trade. This function is particularly salient for small states and territories leveraging the benefits of borrowed size by offering global professional services, warehousing, logistics, shipping, and finance to wealthy nations or high-net individuals. Nonetheless, to date our understanding of how small states and territories facilitate wealth accumulation is limited to broad concepts of their role as 'gateways' or 'brokers'. Drawing on the Gould and Fernandez (1989) brokerage typology and a network analysis applied to the ties between approximately 700,000 firm headquarter and subsidiary locations of 13 of the worlds' largest stock exchanges, we explore the brokerage role of small states and territories through case studies of Luxembourg, Singapore, Hong Kong, and Panama. Brokerage is found to play an important role in the economy of all four. We argue that each of these small states and territories is uniquely positioned as a broker in global corporate networks, but that this role differs according to geo-economic and political positionality.
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Regional development and innovation are often studied in the context of agglomeration economies, leading to a perception bias regarding the virtues of cities. Recent work on interregional connectivity has explored alternative mechanisms... more
Regional development and innovation are often studied in the context of agglomeration economies, leading to a perception bias regarding the virtues of cities. Recent work on interregional connectivity has explored alternative mechanisms for economic growth, such as borrowed size and regional embeddedness, but there are limited studies examining these in the context of peripheries. The paper addresses this by examining the spatial relations of industry, commuting and agglomeration to innovation in Japan peripheries, finding dynamics between and within communities vary in how these factors increase innovation. Such understandings are critical in policy redressing core–periphery imbalances and industry competitiveness.
Research Interests: Japanese Studies, Economic Geography, Innovation statistics, Innovation Policy, Regional and Local Governance, and 7 moreEconomics of Innovation, Strategic Planning, Regional Planning/Development, Regional development, Urban And Regional Planning, Economic geography (Geography) (Geography), and Industrial Agglomeration
Summary of Key Findings • Foreign direct investment (FDI) is a key measure of national success in investment attraction and capacity for economic development. • FDI is strongly linked to national assets such as resources, as well as... more
Summary of Key Findings
• Foreign direct investment (FDI) is a key measure of national success in
investment attraction and capacity for economic development.
• FDI is strongly linked to national assets such as resources, as well as
national economic strategic interests.
• State trade data points to where this attractiveness lies.
• Australian inward FDI attractiveness is strong globally and is increasing
relative to outward FDI.
• Our most attractive industry sector is Mining and Quarrying – areas of
strength for Western Australia.
• FDI is a major source for business creation, employment generation,
asset holdings, production of exports and services, and industry
value‑add.
• Western Australia exports considerably more than other Australian
States, most of which is connected to its resources industry.
• Its relatively low level of imports and state domestic demand means
Western Australia runs a trade surplus.
• The downside of Western Australia’s attractiveness to global investment is an overheating of the economy and exacerbating spatial inequality
– factors that need addressing through appropriate State policy
and strategy.
• Foreign direct investment (FDI) is a key measure of national success in
investment attraction and capacity for economic development.
• FDI is strongly linked to national assets such as resources, as well as
national economic strategic interests.
• State trade data points to where this attractiveness lies.
• Australian inward FDI attractiveness is strong globally and is increasing
relative to outward FDI.
• Our most attractive industry sector is Mining and Quarrying – areas of
strength for Western Australia.
• FDI is a major source for business creation, employment generation,
asset holdings, production of exports and services, and industry
value‑add.
• Western Australia exports considerably more than other Australian
States, most of which is connected to its resources industry.
• Its relatively low level of imports and state domestic demand means
Western Australia runs a trade surplus.
• The downside of Western Australia’s attractiveness to global investment is an overheating of the economy and exacerbating spatial inequality
– factors that need addressing through appropriate State policy
and strategy.
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The continuous rescaling of metropolitan governance has been a prominent feature of the neoliberal state. Metropolitan coalitions are one variant of governance in which disparate actors are brought together around a common agenda or... more
The continuous rescaling of metropolitan governance has been a prominent feature of the neoliberal state. Metropolitan coalitions are one variant of governance in which disparate actors are brought together around a common agenda or platform. Drawing upon the example of Australia's 'Committees for Cities and Regions' (CCR), this paper applies urban governance theory to better understand the effectiveness of networked metropolitan governance coalitions. We find that such coalitions derive political legitimacy from the externalities produced by their network relations, which we theorize as a three-dimensional nexus of vertical (between levels of government), horizontal (between local actors), and 'diagonal' (with CCR counterparts) components. Although the CCR model is somewhat unique to Australia and New Zealand, it reflects similar networked and multi-scalar processes at work elsewhere, serving as a template for political landscapes in which in-built legacy political arrangements largely preclude metropolitan-scale issues from being addressed.
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This paper adds a network dimension to locational theories on multinational corporate strategy to explain how tax havens and offshore financial centers (THOFC) are integrated into the structures of firms listed on several stock exchanges... more
This paper adds a network dimension to locational theories on multinational corporate strategy to explain how tax havens and offshore financial centers (THOFC) are integrated into the structures of firms listed on several stock exchanges of the Asia-Pacific. Applying network analysis to firm-subsidiary connections of these listed firms, it highlights differences in the connectivity structures as well as the role of THOFC in exchange subnetworks. It finds considerable variation in the complexity of corporate structures by stock exchange can be explained by national context and multinational location strategies, and that the prevalence of THOFC within corporate structures cannot be underestimated.
Research Interests: Urban Geography, Asian Studies, Economic Geography, International Business, Social Networking, and 7 moreStrategic Management, Asia Pacific Region, Internationalization, Globalisation and Development, Multinational Corporations, International Business Strategy, and International Business & Globalization
Regional development theories draw on forces of economic convergence or divergence to explain uneven core-periphery spatial processes of community formation. But there continues to be limited understanding of how different capitalism... more
Regional development theories draw on forces of economic convergence or divergence to explain uneven core-periphery spatial processes of community formation. But there continues to be limited understanding of how different capitalism types shape this, such as in resource economies in advanced capitalist economies where global competitiveness depends on the productivity increases of technological innovation and a specialised flexible workforce. This paper unpacks contemporary understanding of regional development processes, arguing that theories often underestimate the scale of labour commuting, as well as the level to which it is structurally transforming resource economies. It draws on evidence from Western Australia, examining how resource production has shaped the spatiality of economic activities between the Perth metropolitan region and its peripheries. Outlining factor inputs of two broad resource economy types, it offers four dimensions influencing spatial relations of resource economies in advanced capitalist nations which need deeper consideration in regional development models. It concludes that understanding the unique processes driving spatial (dis)advantage within such economies is critical to efficient policy formation, and that not doing so may unwittingly exacerbate spatial inequality.
Research Interests: Regional Geography, Economics, Development Economics, Economic Geography, International Economics, and 15 morePolitical Economy, Development Studies, Community Development, Urban Planning, Australia, Rural Development, Regional Planning/Development, Economic Development, Regional development, Urban And Regional Planning, Regional Economics, Regional economic development, Local and regional history, Local and Regional Economic Development, and City and Regional Planning
Editorial Special Issue Australian Geographer: The Australian economy has changed dramatically over the past quarter of a century. The combination of neoliberal reform, increasing dependence on natural resources, the rise of the services... more
Editorial Special Issue Australian Geographer: The Australian economy has changed dramatically over the past quarter of a century. The combination of neoliberal reform, increasing dependence on natural resources, the rise of the services economy and the restructuring of the nation’s manufacturing sector has collectively transformed the national spatial economy. The publication of Global Restructuring: The Australian Experience in 1994 provided an overview of the shifting geographies of the nation’s economy as the country transitioned from relative stability during the ‘long boom’ post World War Two into a period of rapid economic and policy change during the 1980s and 1990s. Yet despite the changes, Antipodean economic geography has, arguably, yet to gain new methodological or theoretical footing. The collection of papers in this Special Issue attempts to meet the challenge of a new direction to economic geography, reflecting on how this transition played out across different spatial and sectoral contexts, primarily in Australia. Papers documenting structural changes in the agricultural, automotive, creative industries, and energy sectors provide an understanding of how the convergence of political discourses, structural forces, and macroeconomic trends interfaced with broad global shifts. Tying these together in the collection is a sustained focus on financialisation, particularly through globalised capital flows mediated through Australia’s major cities. Thus the collection of papers in this Special Issue moves beyond Global Restructuring’s roots in structural political economy to a more globally nuanced perspective on industrial transformation. This paper concludes by making the case for a direction in economic geography that emerges beyond a methodological Antipodean focus toward a more relational and practice-driven approach.
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The importance of knowledge creation and innovation to regional competitiveness and capacity building has made the geography of innovation a rising area of theoretical and methodological enquiry. It has application in both policy and... more
The importance of knowledge creation and innovation to regional competitiveness and capacity building has made the geography of innovation a rising area of theoretical and methodological enquiry. It has application in both policy and practice, being of high value to regional communities, corporations and government. This Handbook on the Geographies of Innovation, edited by Richard Shearmur (Professor, Urban Planning and Economic Geography, McGill University), Christophe Carrincazeaux (Associate Professor, Economics, University of Bordeaux) and David Doloreux (Professor, Regional Development, University of Ottawa and holds Lallemand Endowed Chair, Department of International Business, HEC Montreal), challenges and unpacks the stylised ‘facts’ and accepted ‘truths’ surrounding the geography of innovation. The chapters bring together ‘a mixture of classic ideas and approaches that have evolved and take into account new phenomena and theories, of newer approaches that are seeking to make sense of innovation’s geographies in a world of mobility, globalization and communications, and of attempts to theorize some of these new phenomena’ (pp.2-3). The book is motivated by misconceptions in much innovation literature about the relationship between innovation, knowledge flows, proximity and geography. The editors argue this has led to a lack of geographic representation and an urban bias in how innovation processes are understood. In presenting a spectrum of well-established prevalent to newer less conventional views on the geography of innovation, the chapters aim to encourage new dialogue and debate to emerge from the rich academic understandings built up since the 1980s.
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The geography of firm location is a longstanding focus in urban studies. This paper examines the distribution of Australian Securities Exchange (ASX) listed headquarters in Australian cities. It focusses on change in the distribution of... more
The geography of firm location is a longstanding focus in urban studies. This paper examines the distribution of Australian Securities Exchange (ASX) listed headquarters in Australian cities. It focusses on change in the distribution of firm locations between 2013 and 2016 by sector, with a lens on the differences within and between Australia's five largest cities. Findings indicate that the number of listed firm headquarters diminished overall, and that declining activity in the resources sector was primarily responsible. Cities in which mining and energy play a key role, particularly Perth, experienced the greatest headquarters losses, while Melbourne was the only city to gain firm headquarters over the three-year interval. On a more local scale, central business districts (CBDs) lost firm activity across all cities, while suburbs gained firm headquarters, particularly inner-ring suburbs adjacent to CBDs. This change was led in particular by the healthcare and information technology sectors, which exhibited the greatest gains. These broad changes indicate a shift to the knowledge economy across cities in which central and CBD-fringe locations are desirable from a firm perspective due to proximity to related firms and institutions, and also to high-skill labour forces, as a more detailed look at the intra-metropolitan geographies reveals. We would like to acknowledge the following people:
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Globalisation has impacted both the balance of economic power between cities as well as the distribution of economic activities within them. Studies focussing on the impacts of globalisation often investigate one or the other, but rarely... more
Globalisation has impacted both the balance of economic power between cities as well as the distribution of economic activities within them. Studies focussing on the impacts of globalisation often investigate one or the other, but rarely tie the two together. In Australian cities, CBDs and inner suburbs since the 1980s have become revalorised as strategic sites for multinational firm activities, complementing an already robust agglomeration of commodities-oriented firms, domestic manufacturing, and state-led industries. This paper compares the spatial organisation of Australian firm activity across Perth, Brisbane, Melbourne and Sydney. It first focusses on how the firms of each of these cities extend overseas through global branch office operations, and then shifts to the distribution of firms within each capital city region. Data are drawn from a complete set of 2196 listed Australian Securities Exchange (ASX) firms with operations in more than 100 countries. We find that while the mix of industries differs significantly between cities, the overall industrial patterns observed are relatively consistent from one city to the next. Australian cities are economically fairly centralised and that services-oriented industries in particular are most prominent within central business districts. Sydney’s firms are found to be the most globalised, although all cities have significant numbers of global firms. We also find that locational requirements are significantly varied from one industry to the next and between firm headquarters and branches. This has implications for planning cities to meet firm requirements in an economy that is digital and globally connected, and for national-level policy that distributes core economic competencies amongst Australian cities.
Research Interests:
Fenghua Pan; Ziyun He; Thomas Sigler; Kirsten Martinus; Ben Derudder The increasing globalization of the Chinese economy has been enabled by both Chinese financial institutions operating globally as well as international firms operating... more
Fenghua Pan; Ziyun He; Thomas Sigler; Kirsten Martinus; Ben Derudder
The increasing globalization of the Chinese economy has been enabled by both Chinese financial institutions operating globally as well as international firms operating within China. In geographical terms, this has been organized through a number of strategic cities serving as gateways for the exchange of financial functions, products and practices between China and the global economy. Drawing on location data of financial service firms in China listed on stock exchanges in Shenzhen, Shanghai and Hong Kong, this paper shows that Chinese financial firms are expanding globally and how Chinese financial centers are positioned and connected in the urban networks shaped by these financial service firms. It is found that Hong Kong holds strategic positions in the integration of Chinese cities into global financial center networks, and that establishing a foothold in global financial centers such as New York and London has been a priority for Chinese financial institutions. The increasing capital flows directed by Chinese financial institutions suggests a shifting global financial geography, with numerous Chinese cities playing increasingly important roles within global financial center
networks.
The increasing globalization of the Chinese economy has been enabled by both Chinese financial institutions operating globally as well as international firms operating within China. In geographical terms, this has been organized through a number of strategic cities serving as gateways for the exchange of financial functions, products and practices between China and the global economy. Drawing on location data of financial service firms in China listed on stock exchanges in Shenzhen, Shanghai and Hong Kong, this paper shows that Chinese financial firms are expanding globally and how Chinese financial centers are positioned and connected in the urban networks shaped by these financial service firms. It is found that Hong Kong holds strategic positions in the integration of Chinese cities into global financial center networks, and that establishing a foothold in global financial centers such as New York and London has been a priority for Chinese financial institutions. The increasing capital flows directed by Chinese financial institutions suggests a shifting global financial geography, with numerous Chinese cities playing increasingly important roles within global financial center
networks.
Research Interests:
Understanding characteristics of innovation in peripheral regions is critical to enhancing economic competitiveness and productivity in remote or rural communities worldwide. Metropolitan innovation success stories have limited... more
Understanding characteristics of innovation in peripheral regions is critical to enhancing economic competitiveness and productivity in remote or rural communities worldwide. Metropolitan innovation success stories have limited application or policy relevance in peripheral areas due to lack of critical industry and population. This has seen an emergent body of literature consider the different dynamics of innovation in these areas. This article contributes both methodologically and conceptually to current academic discourse and debates by exploring innovation across the sparsely-populated large spatial divides of regional Australia through the innovative use of social network analysis and econometric modelling. It uses commuting data and a regression of 2000-2013 OECD patent data against select socio-economic variables and commuting indices. It finds that innovative activity is positively linked to population, commuting, and professional employment for smaller communities. This points to the movement of labor as an important factor, providing specific insight into its role as an inter-regional conduit of tacit knowledge by extending the social capital networks of smaller peripheral communities.
Research Interests: Urban Geography, Economic Geography, Regional innovation, Economics of Innovation, Local Economic Development, and 8 moreEconomic Development, Regional development, Innovation Systems, National Innovation Systems, Commuting, Regional Innovation Systems, Labour Mobility, and Regional Development and Innovation Strategies
Spatial agglomeration is well theorized within regional studies and economic geography, with firm- and industry-level advantages generally attributable to the strategic benefits derived from spatial proximity. Increasingly, alternative... more
Spatial agglomeration is well theorized within regional studies and economic geography, with firm- and industry-level advantages generally attributable to the strategic benefits derived from spatial proximity. Increasingly, alternative proximity types have been explored to explain firm relationships within and between industries. This paper applies a novel social network analysis approach to analyze city clustering as a function of both spatial and non-spatial factors—namely economic, sociocultural, and geo-political. Based on the internal reporting structures of Australia-based firms, it explores how ‘global clusters’ are a more useful in understanding industry dynamics and processes than hierarchical lists of cities of cascading importance.
Research Interests:
Metropolitan strategic plans often focus on strengthening local employment opportunities to address the congestion and commuting issues threatening city sustainability. The success of such strategies relies on a more equitable... more
Metropolitan strategic plans often focus on strengthening local employment opportunities to address the congestion and commuting issues threatening city sustainability. The success of such strategies relies on a more equitable distribution of jobs between sub-regions and can be comparatively benchmarked through one of three related measures of employment self-sufficiency, self-containment or jobs-housing balance. However, in practice, planning policy implementation to meet these targets seldom reduces automobile commuting. This paper investigates self-containment across a range of occupation and industry types to highlight large differences in commuting and employment patterns through a case study of Perth's Northwest sub-region, Western Australia. Its findings suggest the application of current sub-regional policy and targets within Perth may reinforce the wage and skill disadvantage of outer metropolitan sub-regions over the inner core. It recommends a more nuanced understanding of these measures taking into account the complex dynamics of both employment opportunities and commuting patterns across sub-regions of a city.
Research Interests: Urban Geography, Economic Geography, Urban Planning, Local Economic Development, Economic Development, and 11 moreSelf-Sufficiency, Urban Policy, Urban And Regional Planning, Metropolitan Planning, Local and Regional Economic Development, City and Regional Planning, Sustainable Urban Planning, Urban Planning and Policy, Metropolitan Planning and Governance, Local Self Sufficiency, and Jobs Housing Balance
Defining the role of cities within economic networks has been a key theoretical challenge, particularly as nuanced understandings of positionality are increasingly championed over hierarchical notions of influence or power in the World... more
Defining the role of cities within economic networks has been a key theoretical challenge, particularly as nuanced understandings of positionality are increasingly championed over hierarchical notions of influence or power in the World City Network (WCN). This paper applies social network analysis (SNA) to identify the critical role that a wide range of cities plays in the Australian economic system. Drawing upon the set of Australian Securities Exchange (ASX) listed firms, four distinct sub-networks are compared against the overall urban network. Each of the materials, energy, industrials, and financials sector sub-networks are found to have unique configurations of inter-urban relations, which are articulated through institutional and industry-specific factors, grounded in diverse histories and path-dependent trajectories. This analysis applies five different centrality measures to understand how positionality within the overall network and respective sub-networks might better inform policymakers formulating ‘globalizing’ urban policy. This addresses the long-standing theoretical debate regarding territorially articulated hierarchies of urban/corporate power, extricating WCN research from the core-periphery assumptions tied to its world-systems theory lineage. Understanding how, rather than if, cities are global provides contextual knowledge about how cities are situated within broader circuits of production, and the exogenous relations that shape urban economies around the world, providing a framework for research in other global contexts.
Research Interests:
Resource towns often exist on a knife-edge, largely depending upon global demand for their resource/s and, at the same time, playing a critical role in the development of a nation. The transition from single resource towns to diversified... more
Resource towns often exist on a knife-edge, largely depending upon global demand for their resource/s and, at the same time, playing a critical role in the development of a nation. The transition from single resource towns to diversified economies has been modelled on several occasions, but their application to other resource locales is difficult given the unique interplay of geographic, political, social, and economic factors. Nonetheless, Innis’ Canadian staples theory may explain the political motivations of resource extraction and exportation, not least in relation to the Western Australia Goldfields. This paper seeks to explore the theory’s potential in this context by examining the implications of high labour mobility. It employs a two-step process using, first, a social network analysis to map the entire Australian labour commuting network and, second, a regression analysis of commuting, regional wealth, and population size against population change. While the Goldfields historically grew in line with processes described by Innis’ theory, contemporary high labour mobility has created a variegated landscape of different development dynamics and trajectories. This finding carries implications for network patterns of residence and work. Labour acts to extend the distribution of wealth by sending incomes to the metropolitan core and to amenity-rich regional towns across the State and nation. In such light, regional development scholars must view the resource town in its broader urban system of distinct but interlocked, and sometimes overlapping, activity nodes.
Research Interests: Economic Geography, Political Economy, Regional policy, Economic Growth, Regional and Local Governance, and 12 moreRegional Planning/Development, Economic Development, Regional development, Urban And Regional Planning, Regional economic development, City and Regional Planning, Resource Curse, Staples Theory, Oil and the Resource Curse, Natural resource curse, Natural Resource Economy, and Natural Resource Wealth and Resource Curse
Summary of Key Findings • Planning to meet long-term State Government targets for job distribution within Greater Perth should differentiate between ‘strategic’ and ‘population-following’ job types. • Of the 831,000 jobs in Greater Perth... more
Summary of Key Findings
• Planning to meet long-term State Government targets for job distribution within Greater Perth should differentiate between ‘strategic’ and ‘population-following’ job types.
• Of the 831,000 jobs in Greater Perth in 2016, 31% are classified as strategic and 69% as population-following.
• Population-following jobs are more likely to be evenly spread across a region due to their relationship with population growth, whereas strategic jobs are linked to key industries and may require focused planning support for development.
• Concentrating on strategic jobs ensures policy is adaptive enough to address both employment self-sufficiency and the reality of geographical concentrations of strategic industries.
• Targeting strategic job distribution across a city, as well as travel accessibility to job opportunities, means a focus on fewer, key jobs with a greater chance of success.
• Strategic jobs have complex location requirements but disruptive changes to how we work and travel are likely to alter the geography of jobs and travel in cities, making it more vital than ever to think strategically how we plan for work across a metropolitan area.
• Planning to meet long-term State Government targets for job distribution within Greater Perth should differentiate between ‘strategic’ and ‘population-following’ job types.
• Of the 831,000 jobs in Greater Perth in 2016, 31% are classified as strategic and 69% as population-following.
• Population-following jobs are more likely to be evenly spread across a region due to their relationship with population growth, whereas strategic jobs are linked to key industries and may require focused planning support for development.
• Concentrating on strategic jobs ensures policy is adaptive enough to address both employment self-sufficiency and the reality of geographical concentrations of strategic industries.
• Targeting strategic job distribution across a city, as well as travel accessibility to job opportunities, means a focus on fewer, key jobs with a greater chance of success.
• Strategic jobs have complex location requirements but disruptive changes to how we work and travel are likely to alter the geography of jobs and travel in cities, making it more vital than ever to think strategically how we plan for work across a metropolitan area.
Research Interests: Urban Geography, Economic Geography, Regional competitiveness, Urban Planning, Regional Planning/Development, and 8 moreRegional development, Cities and globalization/Global cities, Urban And Regional Planning, Employment, Regional economic development, City planning, City and Regional Planning, and Spatial planning
Summary of Key Findings • Agritourism provides a critical means for introducing money into the Western Australian economy as COVID-19 restrictions are eased. • Western Australian industries have a ‘first-mover’ advantage, given the... more
Summary of Key Findings
• Agritourism provides a critical means for introducing money into the Western Australian economy as COVID-19 restrictions are eased.
• Western Australian industries have a ‘first-mover’ advantage, given the State’s low infection and community transmission rates, and quick reopening of the economy.
• Agritourism is associated with industry sectors that have some of the highest multiplier effects in the Australian economy.
• Agritourism is based on an exchange of experiences which can help educate both agritourism providers and visitors, and connect rural and regional economies to communities across the state, nation and abroad.
• Better understanding of these experiences, will allow agritourism providers and authorities to develop and promote regional brands to increase both domestic and international sales.
• Agritourism provides a critical means for introducing money into the Western Australian economy as COVID-19 restrictions are eased.
• Western Australian industries have a ‘first-mover’ advantage, given the State’s low infection and community transmission rates, and quick reopening of the economy.
• Agritourism is associated with industry sectors that have some of the highest multiplier effects in the Australian economy.
• Agritourism is based on an exchange of experiences which can help educate both agritourism providers and visitors, and connect rural and regional economies to communities across the state, nation and abroad.
• Better understanding of these experiences, will allow agritourism providers and authorities to develop and promote regional brands to increase both domestic and international sales.
Research Interests:
Agritourism is becoming an important part of the Australian tourism market providing direct and indirect benefits to agricultural businesses and rural communities across Western Australia (WA). Between 2015 and 2016, over 1.5 million... more
Agritourism is becoming an important part of the Australian tourism market providing direct and indirect benefits to agricultural businesses and rural communities across Western Australia (WA). Between 2015 and 2016, over 1.5 million tourists visited Australian farms - and whilst
agritourism conjures notions of wineries and farm stays, the market has become increasingly diverse. More broadly, agritourism can be thought of as any activity supplementary to agricultural production where tourists visit working farms or other agricultural settings to participate in an interactive experience. This report emerged to better understand agritourism within WA, with the WA tourism industry still to realise the full potential of offerings across a range of agricultural related products and services.
agritourism conjures notions of wineries and farm stays, the market has become increasingly diverse. More broadly, agritourism can be thought of as any activity supplementary to agricultural production where tourists visit working farms or other agricultural settings to participate in an interactive experience. This report emerged to better understand agritourism within WA, with the WA tourism industry still to realise the full potential of offerings across a range of agricultural related products and services.
Research Interests:
• The battery industry offers significant economic opportunities for Australia. Global demand for batteries is rising rapidly, due to technological transformations in the energy, industrial and transport sectors. Australian governments... more
• The battery industry offers significant economic opportunities for Australia. Global demand for batteries is rising rapidly, due to technological transformations in the energy, industrial and transport sectors. Australian governments and businesses have identified building the battery sector as a major national economic imperative. • Australia’s value proposition is as a secure and sustainable partner. Existing battery value chains face significant governance challenges which threaten both their security and sustainability. Australia’s geological endowments, trusted governance framework and strong international relationships make it an ideal partner for international efforts to develop more resilient battery value chains. • Australia will need to upgrade its role within existing global battery value chains. It is already a major up-stream supplier of battery minerals, and end-user of grid-scale batteries. However, it has yet to develop capacity in mid- and down-stream stages of the value chain. As the bulk of value-adding occurs in these stages, Australia’s economic opportunity lies in leveraging its competitive advantages to ‘move along the value chain’ from a mining to processing role. • To successfully execute this agenda, efforts will need to be informed by an integrated value-chain perspective. Australia is not creating a battery industry de novo, but seeking to augment its existing role within a growing global industry. Policy design by governments, and project development by businesses, must be calibrated to the specific governance features and needs of global battery value chains. • A value-chain informed strategy should focus on building mid-stream capacity through international partnerships. Domestically, efforts should target Australia’s mid-stream processing industries, where the most attractive opportunities lie. Internationally, governments and businesses should actively pursue international trade, investment and technology partnerships with key global players.
Research Interests:
Research on the position of cities has revealed how networks play an influential role in urban development. The distribution of economic activity in cities has a strong impact on how cities are connected to one another in a global... more
Research on the position of cities has revealed how networks play an influential role in urban development. The distribution of economic activity in cities has a strong impact on how cities are connected to one another in a global context, as well as what national role cities play in industrial networks. This paper investigates the role of Guangzhou in both a global and national context. Data are derived from a complete set of public firm headquarters and subsidiaries listed primarily on the Hong Kong, Shanghai and Shenzhen stock exchanges. First, the analysis reveals the concentration of firms in specific industrial sector and sub-sectors when compare to Guangdong and China as a whole. Second, connectivity is derived from the relations between Guangzhou-based firm headquarters, and between Guangzhou-based subsidiaries and external firms. The results ultimately place Guangzhou, and Guangdong, more broadly in a global industry context that distinguishes them from other Chinese cities and regions. Guangzhou's strong manufacturing role in electronics, automobiles, and chemicals is supplemented by a focus on public administrative roles tied to its position as the capital of Guangzhou province. This contrasts to some degree with the technology-intensive focus of newer industrial development, which may indeed lead future growth.
Research Interests:
Australia’s economy has, much more than many other developed countries, been historically oriented toward international trade. Since the early colonial period, exportled growth has paved the way for raw materials to be shipped overseas.... more
Australia’s economy has, much more than many other developed countries, been historically oriented toward international trade. Since the early colonial period, exportled growth has paved the way for raw materials to be shipped overseas. Over the course of the past two centuries, this transitioned from agriculture and forestry, to mining and energy. While the contemporary Australian economy is more diverse than ever, it is still heavily oriented toward the resources sectors. Today, iron ore and concentrates, coal, gold, and natural gas account for more than 40 per cent of Australian exports (Thirlwell, 2017), totalling $133 billion. Export markets are dominated by large Asian consumer nations, with China by far the most significant at $93 billion, followed by Japan. Perth, perhaps more than any other Australian capital city, has grown as a result of this export economy. Western Australia (WA) exports $121 billion annually, making up 41 per cent of the national total. Ninety per cent of this is in the mining and energy sectors, primarily oil and gas, iron ore, gold, alumina, and nickel (DMP, 2017). WA’s commercial connections are tied to the linkages created by these commodity-driven exports. For example, as WA gas production increases to the levels of leading exporters such as Qatar and Malaysia, new marketplace connections are forged between consuming nations such as Taiwan and Korea, and to intermediary trading hubs such as Singapore. This FACTBase Bulletin explores Perth’s global connectivity. It starts by establishing some basics of Perth’s economy by looking at the city’s ASX-listed firms, and how they compare against other Australian capital cities. It then takes Perth’s ASX-listed firm connections and explores them in greater detail by creating a global network of firm connections. Perth’s network is compared against Melbourne, Sydney, and Brisbane. It is argued that the knowledge and capital flows derived from these global firm links are critical to sustaining a healthy economy, and that innovations in resource sector technologies are key to adding value to Perth’s domestic and overseas commercial linkages.
Research Interests: Economic Geography, Globalization, Urban Planning, Urban Studies, Globalisation and Development, and 8 moreEconomic Development, Globalization and Governance, Urban And Regional Planning, Economic geography (Geography) (Geography), Geographical Economics, Economic Geography and Human Geography, International Business & Globalization, and Economic
The Fast Growing Outer Suburbs of Australia’s capital cities are home to nearly 5 million people. Growing at double the national rate, their population will grow to 7.5 million buy 2031. Between 2011 and 2016 these suburbs generated 35%... more
The Fast Growing Outer Suburbs of Australia’s capital cities are home to nearly 5 million people. Growing at double the national rate, their population will grow to 7.5 million buy 2031. Between 2011 and 2016 these suburbs generated 35% of population growth and 25% of job growth but only 13% of jobs and 11% of GDP. Infrastructure is central to economic growth, and investment in the right projects can help to bridge this gap between population and employment. However, between 2011 and 2016 growth areas received only 13% of infrastructure investment and the infrastructure backlog in growth areas will reach $70 billion within 15 years. The need for economic and employment growth and the growing backlog highlight the need for the development of productive and transformational infrastructure in Australia’s growth areas. The infrastructure shortfall combined with high population growth has produced a range of economic and social issues in high growth local government areas, including: • The quality and quantity of local employment opportunities; • Access to employment in other locations, which is associated with long commuting times, high car dependency and the standard of public transport provision; • The quality, diversity and affordability of housing; and • Social cohesion, liveability, culture and amenity, including access to education, health care, and cultural, entertainment and sporting facilities. At the same time, the fast-growing outer suburbs are in demographic and economic transition, providing opportunities to shift thinking on the role of the outer suburbs in our cities., yet population growth is still outpacing jobs and infrastructure growth. Local economies and communities are responding to these issues, but targeted investments supported by commonwealth and state governments are vital in transforming growth areas and improving the lives of this growing population.
Research Interests:
This report was commissioned to investigate ward boundary changes in the Shire of Dandaragan for the purposes of fair representation across the four communities of Badgingarra, Cervantes, Dandaragan and Jurien Bay. The primary concern for... more
This report was commissioned to investigate ward boundary changes in the Shire of Dandaragan for the purposes of fair representation across the four communities of Badgingarra, Cervantes, Dandaragan and Jurien Bay. The primary concern for Shire residents is the less populated communities of Badgingarra, Dandaragan and Cervantes will have increasingly less representation as the population in Jurien Bay grows. Following this, the Shire Council proposed a review of the current no wards situation and the consideration of reverting back to a four wards system. This report provides recommendations on this based on an analysis of six ward boundary scenarios – the five submitted to council and the current no ward system. This analysis was informed by the five factors for consideration set out by the Department of Local Government and Communities in Schedule 2.2 of the Local Government Act 1995. It was achieved through a statistical analysis of the region in the context of each boundary scenario as well as interviews with key Shire of Dandaragan community and government stakeholders. From the interviews, it became clear that the issue was not with the wards but with fair representation of the four communities. This understanding shifted the aim of this report from its initial focus on recommendations centred on ward boundaries to one concerned with fair representation which acknowledged and aimed to address underlying structural disadvantages between the communities. The reports’ overarching objective then became to analyse and make recommendations on the scenario most likely to generate fair community representation both now and into future. Given the evidence presented at the interviews, through analysis of voting patterns, examination of the five factors, consultation with DLGC and understanding of global drivers of amalgamation, the report recommended a no wards system .
Research Interests:
The past decade has been one of the most dramatic in Perth's history. Against the background of a dynamic global economy and expansion of the State's minerals and energy sectors, the city has experienced an economic, social and cultural... more
The past decade has been one of the most dramatic in Perth's history. Against the background of a dynamic global economy and expansion of the State's minerals and energy sectors, the city has experienced an economic, social and cultural transformation.This transformation has posed numerous questions about the future of Perth. This includes questions related to business competitiveness, global connectivity, urban policy and planning, quality of life, and social change. As the pace of change increased during the 2000s, the Committee for Perth and The University of Western Australia embarked on a unique research partnership (FACTBase) to better understand how the city was being transformed. The FACTBase project aimed to strengthen the evidence base underpinning the dialogue about the challenges the city faced, the ways in which it was changing, and how major challenges might be addressed. In short, a central focus was to ‘dispel myth and folklore’ by drawing on evidence rather than anecdote. Since mid 2009, this partnership has contributed to over 60 publications, including FACTBase Bulletins and a number of major reports. The topics covered have been diverse, spanning themes such as the geography of corporate power, labour market change, social inequality, local government reform, retail trading, gender equity and ethnic diversity. The work has been used to inform public policy, stimulate community debate, to underpin local planning, and as an educational resource. This report draws on some of the work that has been undertaken as part of the Committee for Perth – UWA partnership. It paints a picture of change over the past decade, and lays the foundation for further discussion and debate about the future of Perth.
Research Interests: Cultural Studies, Economic Geography, Regional policy, Regional and Local Governance, Local Government, and 12 moreAustralia, Local Economic Development, Local Government and Local Development, Regional Planning/Development, Economic Development, Regional development, Urban And Regional Planning, Regional Planning, Regional economic development, City planning, City and Regional Planning, and City and Urban Planning
Innovation is central to competitiveness and productivity in the State economy for both traditional and emerging economic sectors and has underpinned WA’s remarkable economic growth. However, in recent years the State’s innovation... more
Innovation is central to competitiveness and productivity in the State economy for both traditional and emerging economic sectors and has underpinned WA’s remarkable economic growth. However, in recent years the State’s innovation performance has lagged by comparison with other States and this decline is even more concerning when placed in an international context where Australia has relatively low levels of innovation efficiency and collaboration between research and industry.
This report reflects TIAC’s desire to see a culture of innovation in WA to support economic diversity and growth. Its aim is to assist the West Australian State Government (WA Government) in addressing the key questions: “What do we need to do, and where should we focus our resources and attention to stimulate innovation in business, government and community sectors?” Knowledge will be essential in developing strategies, knowledge of the competencies that exist and are growing in Western Australia, the sectors the competencies support, cross sectoral linkages and where there is existing concentrations of industry providing a foundation for a cluster.
The recommendations guide and inform development of innovation policy responses aimed at strengthening and diversifying the State’s economy. TIAC believes that clusters of increasing innovative capability are one of the most effective environments for innovation to be sparked, driven and converted to improved productivity, new commercial assets and increased economic value. Innovation can and does happen in isolation, but the successful outcome can face greater challenges. Collaboration, cooperation and support will drive greater success.
This report reflects TIAC’s desire to see a culture of innovation in WA to support economic diversity and growth. Its aim is to assist the West Australian State Government (WA Government) in addressing the key questions: “What do we need to do, and where should we focus our resources and attention to stimulate innovation in business, government and community sectors?” Knowledge will be essential in developing strategies, knowledge of the competencies that exist and are growing in Western Australia, the sectors the competencies support, cross sectoral linkages and where there is existing concentrations of industry providing a foundation for a cluster.
The recommendations guide and inform development of innovation policy responses aimed at strengthening and diversifying the State’s economy. TIAC believes that clusters of increasing innovative capability are one of the most effective environments for innovation to be sparked, driven and converted to improved productivity, new commercial assets and increased economic value. Innovation can and does happen in isolation, but the successful outcome can face greater challenges. Collaboration, cooperation and support will drive greater success.
Research Interests: Geography, Human Geography, Urban Geography, Regional Geography, Economics, and 29 moreEconomic Geography, Regional policy, Economic Growth, Diffusion of Innovations, Urban Planning, Regional and Local Governance, Local Government, Economics of Innovation, Urban Studies, Local Government and Local Development, Local Development, Regional Planning/Development, Economic Development, Regional development, Technological Innovation, Urban And Regional Planning, Regional Studies, STEM Education, Regional economic development, City and Regional Planning, Innovation, Entrepeneurship and Leadership, Innovation theory, Startups, Entrepeneurship, Entreprenuership, Entrepeneurship Theory and Practice, Education, Entrepeneurship, Start-Ups, Technology Transfer, Innovative Starts-Up, and Social Entrepreneurship & Innovation
From a strategic planning standpoint, State and local governments advocate for the retention of workers in outer metropolitan regions through the provision of local jobs. ‘Employment self-sufficiency’ targets or jobs-housing balances are... more
From a strategic planning standpoint, State and local governments advocate for the retention of workers in outer metropolitan regions through the provision of local jobs. ‘Employment self-sufficiency’ targets or jobs-housing balances are used to assess regional success at achieving a better balance between available jobs and working residents, which in turn has the potential to reduce congestion and decentralises the city. However, targeting improvements in the jobs-to-housing ratio generates questions regarding worker skill levels in different sub-regions. If certain skills or qualification levels are more easily retained in outer metropolitan areas, then should these jobs be targeted for overall employment growth? The problem being that worker mobility may also be linked to skill and qualifications levels. In which case, indiscriminate employment growth may lead to greater disparity in worker incomes and job opportunities between the Central and outer metropolitan regions.
This FACTBase focuses on occupation type as an indicator of a certain level of worker qualification or set of skills. This FACTBase focuses on occupation type as an indicator of a certain level of worker qualification or set of skills.
This FACTBase focuses on occupation type as an indicator of a certain level of worker qualification or set of skills. This FACTBase focuses on occupation type as an indicator of a certain level of worker qualification or set of skills.
Research Interests: Urban Geography, Economic Geography, Economic Growth, Urban Planning, Transport Planning, and 9 moreUrban Studies, Local Economic Development, Economic Development, Regional development, Urban And Regional Planning, Regional economic development, City planning, City and Regional Planning, and Commuting
Since the 1970s, successive strategic planning strategies have sought to decentralise economic activity and employment in the Perth metropolitan region. This was in part to mitigate commuting issues such as the daytime emptying of outer... more
Since the 1970s, successive strategic planning strategies have sought to decentralise economic activity and employment in the Perth metropolitan region. This was in part to mitigate commuting issues such as the daytime emptying of outer sub-regions and the unidirectional overcapacity use of freeways and the public transport system. Sub-regional activity centres were planned to create more decentralised land use patterns offering a range of retail, commercial and possibly advanced or specialised services attracting major employment opportunities in industries of specialisation.
This FACTBase unpacks the industry and employment attractiveness of these centres by examining the geographical distribution of economic activities at the Statistical Area Level 2 (SA2) spatial scale.It compares two data sets. First, the headquarters and branch office locations of some of Australia’s largest and most globally-oriented firms – those listed on the Australian Securities Exchange (ASX). While it is recognised that this does not capture all firms, specifically non-listed businesses, it nevertheless offers valuable insights into decision-making outcomes of Australia’s largest enterprises. Second, commuter destinations are disaggregated by industry of employment from the Australian Bureau of Statistics’ (ABS) 2011 Census of Population and Housing. This provides insight into the strategic attraction of centres to a globally-oriented set of firms alongside local commuter patterns, highlighting their capacity to attract employment and industry opportunities away from Perth city’s core.
This FACTBase unpacks the industry and employment attractiveness of these centres by examining the geographical distribution of economic activities at the Statistical Area Level 2 (SA2) spatial scale.It compares two data sets. First, the headquarters and branch office locations of some of Australia’s largest and most globally-oriented firms – those listed on the Australian Securities Exchange (ASX). While it is recognised that this does not capture all firms, specifically non-listed businesses, it nevertheless offers valuable insights into decision-making outcomes of Australia’s largest enterprises. Second, commuter destinations are disaggregated by industry of employment from the Australian Bureau of Statistics’ (ABS) 2011 Census of Population and Housing. This provides insight into the strategic attraction of centres to a globally-oriented set of firms alongside local commuter patterns, highlighting their capacity to attract employment and industry opportunities away from Perth city’s core.
Research Interests: Urban Geography, Economic Geography, Economic Growth, Urban Planning, Urban Studies, and 10 moreUrbanism, Economic Development, Mining, Urban And Regional Planning, Multinational Corporations, Uneven Development, Corporate Strategy, Transnational Corporations, Uneven Geographies, and Geographical Unevenness
Since the 1950s, planners have guided and directed the growth of Perth and Peel through various strategic plans. Initially, they aimed to accommodate economic growth and the Australian suburban dream of home and car ownership. However,... more
Since the 1950s, planners have guided and directed the growth of Perth and Peel through various strategic plans. Initially, they aimed to accommodate economic growth and the Australian suburban dream of home and car ownership. However, later, they sought to address issues associated with rising commuting from the suburbs to Perth’s central core through the distribution of employment growth vis-à-vis a metropolitan hierarchy of urban centres and the upgrading of transport and road services. All these strategies utilised employment
self-sufficiency to benchmark commuting reduction and jobs/housing balance.
This FACTBase will examine interregional commuting across Perth and Peel, including the large fly-in fly-out workforce living in the metropolitan area and working in regional Western Australia. It identifies key areas of employment using 2011 ABS place of work and place of residence data disaggregated by local government area as well as by metropolitan Perth and Peel sub-regions. It then outlines three comparative ratios to benchmark the home and work relationship – jobs/housing balance, employment self-sufficiency and employment self-containment.
self-sufficiency to benchmark commuting reduction and jobs/housing balance.
This FACTBase will examine interregional commuting across Perth and Peel, including the large fly-in fly-out workforce living in the metropolitan area and working in regional Western Australia. It identifies key areas of employment using 2011 ABS place of work and place of residence data disaggregated by local government area as well as by metropolitan Perth and Peel sub-regions. It then outlines three comparative ratios to benchmark the home and work relationship – jobs/housing balance, employment self-sufficiency and employment self-containment.
Research Interests: Community Development, Infrastructure Planning, Urban Planning, Transport Planning, Strategic Planning, and 10 moreEconomic Development, Self-Sufficiency, Urban And Regional Planning, Land-use planning, Employment, Planning, City and Regional Planning, Commuting, Community participation and engagement, and Jobs Housing Balance
Authors: Matthew Tonts, Veronica Huddleston, Kirsten Martinus, Gemma Davies This special report provides an assessment of the economic, social and cultural transformation of Greater Fremantle. It considers the change that has occurred in... more
Authors: Matthew Tonts, Veronica Huddleston, Kirsten Martinus, Gemma Davies
This special report provides an assessment of the economic, social and cultural transformation of Greater Fremantle. It considers the change that has occurred in Fremantle in the context of change in the wider Perth metropolitan and Peel region. In doing so, it identifies Fremantle’s most distinctive advantages and the critical strategic issues, options and challenges for the future. The report does not intend to provide prescriptive guidance for Fremantle’s strategic direction. Rather it outlines genuine, evidence-based strategic options for consideration by the local and regional community and local and State governments. It identifies Greater Fremantle as an undervalued regional and State asset – a unique regional centre whose economic, social, and cultural development and character has been strongly influenced by its strategic location at the junction of the Indian Ocean and the Swan River.
This special report provides an assessment of the economic, social and cultural transformation of Greater Fremantle. It considers the change that has occurred in Fremantle in the context of change in the wider Perth metropolitan and Peel region. In doing so, it identifies Fremantle’s most distinctive advantages and the critical strategic issues, options and challenges for the future. The report does not intend to provide prescriptive guidance for Fremantle’s strategic direction. Rather it outlines genuine, evidence-based strategic options for consideration by the local and regional community and local and State governments. It identifies Greater Fremantle as an undervalued regional and State asset – a unique regional centre whose economic, social, and cultural development and character has been strongly influenced by its strategic location at the junction of the Indian Ocean and the Swan River.
Research Interests: Socioeconomics, Tourism Planning and Policy, Community Development, Urban Planning, Regional and Local Governance, and 19 moreAustralia, Strategic Planning, Local Economic Development, Regional Planning/Development, Economic Development, Regional development, Urban And Regional Planning, Regional economic development, Tourism, Perth, City planning, Planning, Local and Regional Economic Development, City and Regional Planning, Western Australia, Ports, Regional and Urban analysis, Fremantle, and Public Policy
Reflecting its port history, Fremantle has long symbolised Perth’s economic connectivity and in turn entrepreneurism as it leverages diverse flows of people, ideas and goods. However, measuring this type of economic investment in a... more
Reflecting its port history, Fremantle has long symbolised Perth’s economic connectivity and in turn entrepreneurism as it leverages diverse flows of people, ideas and goods. However, measuring this type of economic investment in a metropolitan sub-region, such as Greater Fremantle is difficult given the complexity of finance, labour and business interactions. The capacity to attract investment is due to connectivity across various trade and labour networks (Martinus and Tonts, 2013). Positive reinforcement of old patterns and the creation of new opportunities is caused by generations of economic engagement. Fremantle’s successful hosting of the America’s Cup in the 1980s is a good illustration of this. Not only did it introduce Perth to the world, the America’s Cup helped consolidate an industry which paved the way for ASX-listed global ship building operations at Henderson. As such, Fremantle’s linkages at different metropolitan, national and global levels are the result of historic processes driven by a myriad of economic and organisational behavioural responses (see Kominek and Scheffran, 2012).
This FACTBase Bulletin investigates Fremantle’s investment flows using network connectivities in trade and labour commuting as proxies for broader economic movements. Social network analysis highlights links to other locations across Perth, the nation and the globe. The first section focuses on trade flows using international port and Western Australian (WA) locational data (Fremantle Ports, 2006, 2012, 2014). The second section details labour commuting using 2011 ABS journey-to-work data by Local Government Areas (LGAs) at the national and Greater Perth and Peel Metropolitan levels.
This FACTBase Bulletin investigates Fremantle’s investment flows using network connectivities in trade and labour commuting as proxies for broader economic movements. Social network analysis highlights links to other locations across Perth, the nation and the globe. The first section focuses on trade flows using international port and Western Australian (WA) locational data (Fremantle Ports, 2006, 2012, 2014). The second section details labour commuting using 2011 ABS journey-to-work data by Local Government Areas (LGAs) at the national and Greater Perth and Peel Metropolitan levels.
Research Interests: International Trade, Australia, Local Economic Development, Regional Planning/Development, Economic Development, and 10 moreRegional development, Social Network Analysis (SNA), Work and Labour, Urban And Regional Planning, Trade, Regional economic development, Perth, City and Regional Planning, Connectivity, and Western Australia
Kirsten Martinus & Paul Maginn. This FACTBase explores Fremantle’s socio-economic structure within the broader context of the Perth and Peel Metropolitan Region. Such analysis is critical in order to develop a measure of community... more
Kirsten Martinus & Paul Maginn.
This FACTBase explores Fremantle’s socio-economic structure within the broader context of the Perth and Peel Metropolitan Region. Such analysis is critical in order to develop a measure of
community stability, resilience and dynamics in the face of economic restructuring and uncertainty. As noted in previous FACTBases, whilst there has been an increase in the overall mean income across Perth and Peel this has not been evenly spread. Indeed, there is a growing divide between the richest and poorest Statistical Local Areas (SLAs). This pattern of income inequality looks set to intensify in the context of Perth and Peel’s rising living costs and an increasing number of SLAs falling below the mean income level of $86,017.
In addition to the broader socio-economic changes taking place in Perth and Peel, this FACTBase also examines more localised patterns of socio-economic inequality and stress, welfare dependence and support, as well as housing structure and ownership within the Greater Fremantle area. In short, despite the relative wealth of Fremantle, not all residents enjoy the same access to social and economic opportunity. A dual economy appears to be emerging within Fremantle.
This FACTBase explores Fremantle’s socio-economic structure within the broader context of the Perth and Peel Metropolitan Region. Such analysis is critical in order to develop a measure of
community stability, resilience and dynamics in the face of economic restructuring and uncertainty. As noted in previous FACTBases, whilst there has been an increase in the overall mean income across Perth and Peel this has not been evenly spread. Indeed, there is a growing divide between the richest and poorest Statistical Local Areas (SLAs). This pattern of income inequality looks set to intensify in the context of Perth and Peel’s rising living costs and an increasing number of SLAs falling below the mean income level of $86,017.
In addition to the broader socio-economic changes taking place in Perth and Peel, this FACTBase also examines more localised patterns of socio-economic inequality and stress, welfare dependence and support, as well as housing structure and ownership within the Greater Fremantle area. In short, despite the relative wealth of Fremantle, not all residents enjoy the same access to social and economic opportunity. A dual economy appears to be emerging within Fremantle.
Research Interests: Economic Geography, Socioeconomics, Suburban Studies, Urban Planning, Regional and Local Governance, and 17 moreAustralia, Housing Affordability, Urban Studies, Housing Policy, Housing, Suburbs, Affordable Housing, Employment, Public Policy - Social Welfare Policy, Perth, Income inequality, Local governance, Economic Growth, Poverty, and Income Inequality, Urban Studies and Planning, Boomtown, Rich and poor Disparity, and Social Disparity
Kirsten Martinus & Matthew Tonts. Over the past century, Greater Fremantle has been transformed from a place where people both lived and worked, to a more complex set of employment residential arrangements. Indeed, people no longer... more
Kirsten Martinus & Matthew Tonts. Over the past century, Greater Fremantle has been transformed from a place where people both lived and worked, to a more complex set of employment residential arrangements. Indeed, people no longer necessarily live close to their work, with residential location becoming dependent on a range of lifestyle, demographic and economic choices and constraints. In this Bulletin, we focus on the employment characteristics of people living in Fremantle including job growth, unemployment, employment sector and income dynamics. We aim to provide a more detailed understanding of
exactly who lives in Fremantle, as well as their relative exposure to economic risk and vulnerability in the face of Western Australia’s changing economy
exactly who lives in Fremantle, as well as their relative exposure to economic risk and vulnerability in the face of Western Australia’s changing economy
Research Interests: Economic Geography, Social Policy, Regional and Local Governance, Local Economic Development, Economic Development, and 9 moreEmployment, Perth, Local governance, Employment and Economic Growth, Economic analysis of poverty and vulnerability, Wealth inequality, Fremantle, Employment Growth, and Public Policy
Kirsten Martinus & Paul Maginn. Australia is the 7th most generous nation according to the Charities Aid Foundation (2013) World Giving Index with an overall index score of 55%. So, how generous are Western Australians? More... more
Kirsten Martinus & Paul Maginn. Australia is the 7th most generous nation according to the Charities Aid Foundation (2013) World Giving Index with an overall index score of 55%. So, how generous are Western Australians? More specifically, what is the spatial distribution of generosity within the Perth metropolitan region? This
FACTBase draws on Australian Taxation Office (ATO) annual personal income data by postcodes for the financial year 2011/12 in order to highlight the number and total value of gifts or donations made by Australians. In particular, it compares levels of generosity at the inter-metropolitan scale before analysing intra-city patterns of generosity across the 40 SLAs within the Perth and Peel metropolitan region.
FACTBase draws on Australian Taxation Office (ATO) annual personal income data by postcodes for the financial year 2011/12 in order to highlight the number and total value of gifts or donations made by Australians. In particular, it compares levels of generosity at the inter-metropolitan scale before analysing intra-city patterns of generosity across the 40 SLAs within the Perth and Peel metropolitan region.
Research Interests:
Despite being a relatively wealthy nation, a growing proportion of Australia’s population is in poverty. Poverty in Australia is defined as those living under 50% of the national median income ($358 per week per adult or $752 per week per... more
Despite being a relatively wealthy nation, a growing proportion of Australia’s population is in poverty. Poverty in Australia is defined as those living under 50% of the national median income ($358 per week per adult or $752 per week per couple with two children). Based on this definition, in 2010, 12.8% of the population and 17.3% of all children lived in poverty. 62% of persons living in poverty cited social security benefits as their primary income source, and 37% of all social security recipients were classified as living in poverty (ACOSS, 2012).
This FACTBase bulletin explores economic stress across Perth and Peel Statistical Local Areas (SLAs) between 2008 and 2012. Adopting a similar methodology to FACTBase 2 (Tonts, 2009), an
index of economic stress is used to highlight local geographies of poverty and disadvantage at the SLA level (rather than the postcode level of FACTBase 2). This discussion adds to more recent FACTBase bulletins highlighting rising income spatial inequality and wealth across the Perth and Peel region in the context of WAs post resources boom and the global financial crisis (see Martinus, 2014a, 2014b).
This FACTBase bulletin explores economic stress across Perth and Peel Statistical Local Areas (SLAs) between 2008 and 2012. Adopting a similar methodology to FACTBase 2 (Tonts, 2009), an
index of economic stress is used to highlight local geographies of poverty and disadvantage at the SLA level (rather than the postcode level of FACTBase 2). This discussion adds to more recent FACTBase bulletins highlighting rising income spatial inequality and wealth across the Perth and Peel region in the context of WAs post resources boom and the global financial crisis (see Martinus, 2014a, 2014b).
Research Interests:
The shifting dimensions of spatial inequality provide an insight into the profound structural changes that have taken place within Australian cities since the 1970s. The growing divide between rich and poor suburbs has become a matter of... more
The shifting dimensions of spatial inequality provide an insight into the profound structural changes that have taken place within Australian cities since the 1970s. The growing divide between rich and poor suburbs has become a matter of increasing concern given that Australia is seen as the ‘lucky country’ and affords its citizens ‘a fair go’ when it comes to access to social and economic opportunity (AMP, 2008; Bankwest Curtin Economics Centre, 2014; Hunter & Gregory, 1996). If Australia is the ‘lucky country’, then Western Australia (WA) could arguably be described as the luckiest state within Australia. That is to say, WA managed to navigate through the 2008 Global Financial Crisis (GFC) relatively unscathed. This was largely due to the resources boom that took off in the mid-2000s and price deflation in the wake of the GFC (see Martinus, 2014). Following on from the analysis of FACTBases 5 and 16 (Tonts, 2010a, 2010b), this FACTBase explores spatial income inequality across Perth in the years leading up to and following the GFC.
Research Interests:
In September 2008, the world was hit by one of the worst financial crises since The Great Depression in the 1930s. Soon after, the International Monetary Fund (IMF) predicted global growth would contract by 1.3% before a slight recovery... more
In September 2008, the world was hit by one of the worst financial crises since The Great Depression in the 1930s. Soon after, the International Monetary Fund (IMF) predicted global growth would contract by 1.3% before a slight recovery of 1.9% in 2010 – this was significantly lower than past recessions (IMF, 2009). By April 2010, the IMF reported that higher than expected global economic growth of 4.5% was proceeding at varying speeds with advanced economies (e.g., Japan and USA) projected to grow less than emerging and developing economies such as China (10%), India (8.2%) and the ASEAN-5 (6%) (IMF, 2010). This FACTBase investigates the impact of the 2008 Global Financial Crisis (GFC) on Australia’s capital cities by reviewing personal income between financial years 2004/05 to 2011/12 and consumer price changes for the period 2005-2012.
Research Interests:
This FACTBase Bulletin examines Perth’s in- and out-flow of migrants under the intensifying transnational paradigm of the Internet and social media technologies, like Facebook and Skype. Their relatively recent and rapid rise has allowed... more
This FACTBase Bulletin examines Perth’s in- and out-flow of migrants under the intensifying transnational paradigm of the Internet and social media technologies, like Facebook and Skype. Their relatively recent and rapid rise has allowed limited understanding of how this flow of lives and ideologies are shaped and changing global social, political and professional networks. A recent example of this is the Egyptian Revolution, sparked by a Dubai-residing Egyptian ‘activist’ who started a Facebook protest page after seeing a bloodied and beaten web image of his countryman. This FACTBase Bulletin discusses the profound and continuing influence that social media has had on Perth’s global connectivity through its migrant communities, being first addressed in FACTBase 20’s investigation of on-line blogger perceptions of Perth’s vitality.
Research Interests:
In this report, we examine how Perth is integrated into the world city network. This includes traditional measures such as trade, investment, and migration, as well as some more novel perspectives around the city’s political, social and... more
In this report, we examine how Perth is integrated into the world city network. This includes traditional measures such as trade, investment, and migration, as well as some more novel perspectives around the city’s political, social and cultural connectivity. In undertaking this work, we utilise some of the perspectives of the Globalisation and world Cities (GAwC) project based at Loughborough University in the United Kingdom to understand how Perth performs relative to other cities. however, we also consider Perth in its own right, as a unique city that cannot be readily understood through benchmarking and league tables. The report shows that Perth has a diverse and complex range of international connections that reflect not only its historical evolution, but also its emerging economic structure, demography and social fabric. The report is divided into three sections based on economic, people and political connectivity, though in reality of course there is some overlap between these broad themes.
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This FACTBase Bulletin explores an alternative landscape of power and influence based on the location decisions of multinational organisations in the Energy sector and, in particular, focuses on where Perth lies within this global... more
This FACTBase Bulletin explores an alternative landscape of power and influence based on the location decisions of multinational organisations in the Energy sector and, in particular, focuses on where Perth lies within this global network. The analysis reveals a different line-up of cities contributing to more subtle, but perhaps just as powerful, set of forces operating in within the global economy.
Research Interests:
The ever-increasing urbanisation of Australian cities makes the implementation of appropriate planning policy and strategies particularly important. The lack of clarity in how job and housing targets may be used to generate better spatial... more
The ever-increasing urbanisation of Australian cities makes the implementation of appropriate planning policy and strategies particularly important. The lack of clarity in how job and housing targets may be used to generate better spatial employment outcomes requires enhanced understanding of both housing, labour market and travel patterns and dynamics. After overviewing the concept and alternative forms of jobs-housing ratios used in practice, this chapter describes the strategic planning context of achieving employment self-sufficiency in Greater Perth, Western Australia (WA), specifically its outer metropolitan North-West Sub-region. We then discuss several key challenges in using job-housing related ratios to increase job quality and reduce travel needs. We conclude with policy recommendations to address these challenges and increase sustainable transport outcomes.
Research Interests:
This chapter explores the economy of cities in greater detail. First, it gives a summary of the growth and development of cities over time with respect to their economic function. One of the most important trends over the past century has... more
This chapter explores the economy of cities in greater detail. First, it gives a summary of the growth and development of cities over time with respect to their economic function. One of the most important trends over the past century has been rapid urbanisation tied to industrialisation. In some parts of the world, there has been subsequent deindustrialisation. Next, the chapter focusses on the spatial implications of economic change in cities. As urban economies shift over time, so do the characteristics of the built environment, including employment nodes and residential housing. Suburbanisation driven by increasing car ownership has been an important process, but has occurred unevenly in different contexts. The chapter concludes by considering how cities have changed in the recent past, and how economic functions tied to the information age continue to transform cities and urban spatial structure. UNDERSTANDING ECONOMIC CITIES Economic processes play a key role in shaping cities, and cities play a key role in shaping the economy. This chapter focusses on the distribution of economic activity within cities and between cities. It begins with a brief summary of how economic processes have evolved in cities, then focuses on how urban form has mirrored economic shifts over time. These processes unfold at many scales, and as we show-cities are increasingly affected by global phenomena. The growth and development of cities in many ways parallels the trajectory of the world's economy, with today's large-scale urbanization (>50% of global population) being relatively recent in the history of human settlement.
Research Interests:
The increasing complexity of cities with multiple layers of interacting systems and agents has resulted in unpredictable and emergent behaviour, increasing the need to understand relationships and feedbacks between the various components... more
The increasing complexity of cities with multiple layers of interacting systems and agents has resulted in unpredictable and emergent behaviour, increasing the need to understand relationships and feedbacks between the various components of the urban system. This is particularly true within the interconnected systems of land use and transport, where a reciprocal influence is well-recognised, with the arrangement of land uses and transport in a city defining movement patterns of people and goods. Wegener (2004) described this relationship as the land use-transport feedback cycle. Land use activities influence transport by creating a demand for travel. Meeting this demand through the provision of transport infrastructure results in differential accessibility which in turn influences land use. Motivated by policy objectives of urban efficiency, productivity and sustainability, urban planners and managers have sought to reduce the friction of distance and travel demand in urban areas by the co-location of activities and improving transport infrastructure links between activities. The complex interplay between land use and transport has increased as planning and policy environments shift from a narrow focus on meeting transport demand through simply expanding road capacity to a more nuanced approach involving multiple modes, travel demand management and land use policies.
This chapter presents a critical review of the effectiveness of two boundary objects between land use and transport planning as applied in Perth, Western Australia. It firstly introduces the concept of boundary objects and presents criteria for measuring their effectiveness in bridging the land use-transport planning boundary. This is followed by a description and assessment of the two boundary objects – employment self-sufficiency target and land use-transportation modelling. Each object is evaluated according to the three key criteria of salience, credibility and legitimacy. The chapter concludes with recommendations of possible improvements to the objects to enhance their effectiveness in integrating land use and transport planning.
This chapter presents a critical review of the effectiveness of two boundary objects between land use and transport planning as applied in Perth, Western Australia. It firstly introduces the concept of boundary objects and presents criteria for measuring their effectiveness in bridging the land use-transport planning boundary. This is followed by a description and assessment of the two boundary objects – employment self-sufficiency target and land use-transportation modelling. Each object is evaluated according to the three key criteria of salience, credibility and legitimacy. The chapter concludes with recommendations of possible improvements to the objects to enhance their effectiveness in integrating land use and transport planning.
Research Interests:
Perth’s economic role as a resources hub has historically been a source of both prosperity and volatility. From the outset, the fortunes of the Swan River colony, and later Perth and Western Australia, were largely determined by... more
Perth’s economic role as a resources hub has historically been a source of both prosperity and volatility. From the outset, the fortunes of the Swan River colony, and later Perth and Western Australia, were largely determined by commodity-based exports. Likewise, economic busts can be tied to commodity downturns as demonstrated by the depressions of the early 1900s, the inter-war years and, more recently, in 2014/15. In this chapter we show that the global footprint of Perth’s economic network is vast, creating both new vulnerabilities as well as novel opportunities for its expansion. If one assumes that global trade patterns and relations exhibit path dependency where past political, cultural and industry relations influence contemporary and future connections, then a snapshot of existing trade linkages can provide insight into historic global connectivities as well as visions of future ones. In Perth, the internationalisation of key export sectors is focused on a range of mining-based services, such as engineering and prospecting firms and companies providing related expertise, which have a globally extensive footprint.
This chapter overviews the intra-firm connections that produce these lines of trade and communication, connecting contemporary Perth – and the Western Australian resource economy – to the world at large. It does so by extracting corporate strategic locational data during a relative economic boom to understand Perth’s influence and connectivity with other cities around the world. In what follows, we firstly review Perth’s economic development before introducing the corporate data set and social network analysis methodology employed to unpack Perth’s key industry and regional connections. The chapter concludes with observations of Perth’s connectivity and what this might mean looking forward.
This chapter overviews the intra-firm connections that produce these lines of trade and communication, connecting contemporary Perth – and the Western Australian resource economy – to the world at large. It does so by extracting corporate strategic locational data during a relative economic boom to understand Perth’s influence and connectivity with other cities around the world. In what follows, we firstly review Perth’s economic development before introducing the corporate data set and social network analysis methodology employed to unpack Perth’s key industry and regional connections. The chapter concludes with observations of Perth’s connectivity and what this might mean looking forward.
Research Interests:
Research Interests:
Drawing on previous modelling of human-induced land use change, climate change and pandemics, this report focuses on the relationship between human activities and rises in novel disease cases at the community level. The ‘DPSIR’ model... more
Drawing on previous modelling of human-induced land use change, climate change and pandemics, this report focuses on the relationship between human activities and rises in novel disease cases at the community level. The ‘DPSIR’ model (Driving Forces, Pressures, State, Impacts and Responses) is used to understand society-environment interactions, and how alternative behaviours or decision-making by citizens, industry and governments across the globe might reduce disease emergence risk. We produce a conceptual model, and highlight how local consumer and producer decisions in one locale of the globe influence land use changes elsewhere. We offer five land stewardship interventions as call to action points to minimise the risk of emerging infectious diseases in a globally connected world.
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COVID-19 has demonstrated that the coordinated actions of individuals and decision makers can make a difference to the outcome of a grave threat to society. This review paper presents a meta-analysis of the literature demonstrating how... more
COVID-19 has demonstrated that the coordinated actions of individuals and decision makers can make a difference to the outcome of a grave threat to society. This review paper presents a meta-analysis of the literature demonstrating how land use change, environmental degradation and climate change increase the risk of emerging infectious diseases, which can seriously impact human health and society. This paper provides evidence of how a focus on economic growth without sustainable production and consumption processes has led to higher risk of future pandemics. While many previous studies have pointed at these risks, we propose that recent experiences with COVID-19 present the potential to turn society toward more socially, economically and environmentally sustainable ways of production, consumption and landscape management.