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Port gateways in globalisation: The case of Antwerp

par Van Hamme, Gilles ;Strale, Mathieu
Référence Regional Science Policy and Practice, 4, 1, page (83-96)
Publication Publié, 2012-03

Article révisé par les pairs

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Résumé :

This paper analyses the globalization trends affecting Antwerp as a port city. Mainly, we analyse the public policies implemented at different levels of governance in the new context of globalization (from EU to local level). However, in contrast to other authors, we argue that globalization is both shaped by political decisions and in return imposes new constraints to public policies, notably at the local level. Using the Antwerp case, we show first how EU and regional policies have supported globalization trends by favouring liberalization policies in port matters or by reinforcing local autonomies in urban matters. Second, we show in return how local authorities with growing competences have, in a more competitive and global context, been constrained to answer to this new environment by shifting toward entrepreneurial policies. By reshaping their image or opening the port to investors, the attraction of new investors has been a major objective of urban or port policies in the city of Antwerp.