Institute of Geography

Research

Urban Economies

Completed Projects

Places that don't matter? Socio-economic transformation of industrial towns in Switzerland and Slovenia

Places that don't matter? Socio-economic transformation of industrial towns in Switzerland and Slovenia
Places that don't matter? Socio-economic transformation of industrial towns in Switzerland and Slovenia
Timeline	November 2020 - November 2023
Funding	Swiss National Science Foundation (SNSF)
Description	The project has examinee industrial transformation in small and medium-sized towns. We analyzed how these processes play out at the firm/sector level and how they affect communities (workers, families, civic society, etc.). We focussed on current crises such as Covid-19 and its impact on industrial culture, innovation dynamics and community response. We conducted case studies in Switzerland and utilized qualitative and participatory research methods. The project was funded through the Swiss National Science Foundation and the Slowenian National Science Foundation and we cooperated with our Slovenian research partners from the Anton Melik Geographical Institute in Ljubljana.
Further Information	Further Information on the SNSF-Projekt
Publications	Morisson, A., & Mayer, H. (2021). An agent of change against all odds ? The case of Ledger in Vierzon , France. Local Economy, 1–18. https://doi.org/10.1177/02690942211052014 Bole, D. (2021). ‘What is industrial culture anyway?’ Theoretical framing of the concept in economic geography. Geography Compass, 15(11), 1–16. https://doi.org/10.1111/gec3.12595

Urban prosperity beyond the metropolis: Analyzing small and medium-sized towns in Switzerland

Urban prosperity beyond the metropolis: Analyzing small and medium-sized towns in Switzerland
Timeline	September 2015 - June 2019
Funding	Swiss National Science Foundation (SNSF)
Description	Small and medium-sized towns (SMTs) have received little attention from both scholars and practitioners in urban and regional development. This research project aims to analyze the economic and political role of SMTs in Switzerland. We integrate a political science and economic geography perspective.
Involved Researchers	Heike Mayer, University of Bern Fritz Sager, University of Bern Rahel Meili, University of Bern David Kaufmann, University of Bern
Press Release	Press Release SNSF
Publications	Kaufmann, David; Wittwer, Stefan. (2019). Business centre or bedroom community? The development of employment in small and medium-sized towns, Regional Studies. Early Online. Meili, Rahel (2019). The influence of small town context on access to external knowledge. Entrepreneurship & Regional Development, pp. 1-16. Routledge 10.1080/08985626.2019.1606288. Meili, Rahel; Shearmur, Richard (2019). Diverse diversities-Open innovation in small towns and rural areas. Growth and change, 50(2), pp. 492-514. Wiley 10.1111/grow.12291. SRF (2019). Kleinstädte und Innovation: Was die Grossen können, können die Kleinen schon lang. Kaufmann, David; Meili, Rahel (2018). Leaves in the wind? Local policies of small and medium-sized towns in metropolitan regions. European planning studies, 27(1), pp. 21-41. Taylor & Francis Group 10.1080/09654313.2018.1535576. Mayer, Heike; Meili, Rahel (2018). Wirtschaftliche Entwicklung von Kleinstädten. Informationen zur Raumentwicklung, 6(8), pp. 28-37. Bundesforschungsanstalt für Landeskunde und Raumordnung. Mayer, Heike; Meili Rahel (2018). Erfolgreiche Kleinstädte. Der Bund. Montag, 26. November 2018, 10. Meili, Rahel; Mayer, Heike (2017). Small and medium-sized towns in Switzerland: economic heterogeneity, socioeconomic performance and linkages. Erdkunde, 71(4), pp. 313-332. Geographisches Institut, Universität Bonn 10.3112/erdkunde.2017.04.04.

Capital City Dynamics: A Comparative Analysis of Innovation and Positioning of Secondary Capital City Regions

Capital City Dynamics: A Comparative Analysis of Innovation and Positioning of Secondary Capital City Regions
Timeline	May 2013 - April 2016
Funding	Swiss National Science Foundation (SNF)
Description	Global and world city theories as well as new approaches to metropolitanization challenge the traditional role and centrality of capital cities. More specifically, capital cities that are not the dominant economic centers of their nations – so-called secondary capital cities – tend to be overlooked in the fields of economic geography and political science. This comparative research project examines the changing economic and political roles of four secondary capital cities (Bern, The Hague, Ottawa and Washington D.C.).
Involved Researchers	Heike Mayer, University of Bern Fritz Sager, University of Bern Martin Warland, University of Bern David Kaufmann, University of Bern

Using Federal Institutions for the Regional Value Chains

Using Federal Institutions for the Regional Value Chains
Timeline	2012
Funding	Verein Hauptstadtregion Schweiz
Description	In this project, we examined the potential of selected federal institutions with regard to their effects on the economic structure of Switzerland’s Capital City Region. Particularly, we focused on the question how federal institutions influence regional value chains.
Involved Researchers	Heike Mayer, University of Bern Fritz Walter, ecoplan

Importance of the Capital City Region of Switzerland for the Regional Economy and its Added Value

Importance of the Capital City Region of Switzerland for the Regional Economy and its Added Value
Timeline	2011 - 2011
Funding	Verein Hauptstadtregion Schweiz
Description	For this project, we examined the importance and value-added effects of the capital city functions in the capital city region of Switzerland. The analysis included quantitative and qualitative data.
Involved Researchers	Heike Mayer, University of Bern Marc Schnyder, HE-SO Wallis

Creating an Innovation Hub at St. Elizabeth in Washington D.C.

Creating an Innovation Hub at St. Elizabeth in Washington D.C.
Timeline	2010-2012
Funding	US Economic Development Administration
Description	For this project we examined the potential of the move of headquarters of the U.S. Department of Homeland Security to a new campus on the former St. Elizabeths hospital site, which is located in the southeast of the District of Columbia. The development of the campus will be the largest federal development project since the building of the Pentagon. The goal was to examine the potential of economic development based on capital city functions in a distressed community. The work was carried out in collaboration with DC Office of Planning and with Virginia Tech colleagues.
Involved Researchers	Heike Mayer, University of Bern Margreth Cowell, Virginia Tech John Provo, Virginia Tech Patrick O`Brian, Virginia Tech Christina Gabriel, Carnegie Mellon

Small Town Sustainability & the Slow City Movement

Small Town Sustainability & the Slow City Movement
Description	Small towns often play critical roles in regional economic systems. When small towns focus on their specific characteristics and take advantage of their opportunities, they can become stable niches within regional, national, and global economies and take on an important role in shaping a sustainable future. In an era in which the individuality and vitality of small towns are under threat from globalization, we reflect on the potential of small towns.
Involved Researchers:	Heike Mayer, University of Bern Paul Knox, Virginia Tech

Description

Small towns often play critical roles in regional economic systems. When small towns focus on their specific characteristics and take advantage of their opportunities, they can become stable niches within regional, national, and global economies and take on an important role in shaping a sustainable future. In an era in which the individuality and vitality of small towns are under threat from globalization, we reflect on the potential of small towns.

Involved Researchers:

Heike Mayer, University of Bern
Paul Knox, Virginia Tech