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6 - Overcoming Structural Disadvantages with Local Green Economies?

The Case of Two Maritime Cities

Published online by Cambridge University Press:  20 January 2021

By
Jeremy Moulton ,
Winfried Osthorst ,
Pauline Deutz ,
Andrew Jonas  and
Rüdiger Wurzel
Edited by
Jenny M. Fairbrass  and
Nicholas Vasilakos
Jenny M. Fairbrass
Affiliation:
University of East Anglia
Nicholas Vasilakos
Affiliation:
University of East Anglia
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Summary

This chapter assesses the attempts of maritime port cities to use the green economy in a bid to overcome long-term structural disadvantages. It argues that these cities perceive climate change not only as a threat but also as an opportunity for ‘green’ growth in the form of new technologies and industries (such as the renewable energy industry). However, the emerging literature on the green economy underlines the dangers of uneven chances to exploit economic opportunities, reinforced locational competition, and the prevalence of technocratic, instead of transformative, strategies. Bremerhaven (Germany) and Hull (UK), two coastal cities that suffered major economic setbacks as a result of severe declines in local maritime industries (e.g. fisheries and shipbuilding), are used as case study cities. Albeit with differing strategies, both cities have turned to renewables, especially offshore wind, and the ‘green’ improvement of public housing as a source of jobs and growth. This chapter analyses how local green economies can develop, and what impact they may have on cities’ economies. The cases also exhibit the challenges that cities can face in trying to maintain their role as centres for the green economy, including through financial restrictions (a hallmark of structurally disadvantage cities exacerbated by austerity), regional competition and changing national policy contexts.

Keywords

green economyoffshore windpublic housing.
Type
Chapter
Information
Emerging Governance of a Green Economy
Cases of European Implementation
 , pp. 90 - 106
Publisher: Cambridge University Press
Print publication year: 2021

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