TOWN: SMSTs Policy Issues from the case studies

Rob Atkinson(UWE)RTPI Conference: Planning for the Future of Small and Medium

Sized Towns, Parc Eirias,Colwyn Bay 17th September 2014

EUROPEAN UNIONPart-financed by the European Regional Development FundINVESTING IN YOUR FUTURE

Member State and sub-national level• No EU Member State has an explicit and/or

consistent focus on SMSTS although different MSs are concerned with ‘types’ of towns and functions that relate to SMSTs- e.g.

Market towns Coastal towns Remote towns Retail hierarchies Service roles

Member State and sub-national level• But some regions with appropriate powers do

recognise their role (e.g. Wales and Catalonia)• Here we see the identification of ‘hierarchies’ of

towns in relation to their specific regional context. Such hierarchies can relate to:

Employment Housing Services of general interest Transport/connectivity Retail Or a combination• Plus need for towns to ‘work together’ in

complimentary ways

Case Studies – Issues• 10 Regions of varying types• 31 case studies of SMSTs of varying size,

location and ‘type’, e.g.AgglomeratedNetworkedIsolated • Range of constitutional/governmental

contexts• BUT NOT A REPRESENTATIVE SAMPLE• Regional context important - not totally

determinant

Case Studies – Issues• Some ‘independent towns’• Some part of larger local authorities or

municipalities• But no clear pattern emerges in terms of SMSTs

capacity to act in terms of their ‘independence’• Generally the public sector is the ‘driving force’• The private sector is generally ‘weak’ and

fragmented

Case studies – Issues• But in some circumstances the private sector

and civil society are the drivers – seems to relate to the presence of:

Strong sense of local identity (‘remote/isolated’ location),

Social cohesion and cooperation Social capital (bonding and bridging) A ‘local entrepreneurial culture’ – but difficult to

be sure Locally generated investment? Good examples of this: Alba and Athienou –

successful SMSTs – here many benefits remain locally

Case studies – Issues• Economy generally dominated by residential

sector but manufacturing well represented and in some cases dominant

• Small (local) business often dominate: can be both a strength and a weakness – diversity v stability or flexibility/resilience v over-reliance

• Much depends on the local capacity of firms to respond to change, especially in current crisis

• Regional location important – SMSTs in urban regions can benefit from ‘spill overs’ but also run risk of becoming ‘dormitory towns’

• Connectivity important• Land availability also significant for expansion

Case studies – Issues• Political relationships with upper tiers of

government important regardless of whether they are ‘independent’ or part of wider local authority area – fit into wider regional/local strategies

• Generally SMSTs lack the capacity to directly access EU funds – rely on other tiers

• Cooperation with surrounding SMSTs and larger towns/cities

• But often only on basic issues rather than more ambitious projects such as LED

• Leadership often significant

Case Studies – Issues• Some of the SMSTs (especially the independent

‘larger ones’) had long-term strategy, but still needed support from other tiers

• Those part of larger local authorities dependent on them for action

Case studies – Issues• Virtually all of our SMSTS had important

service, administrative and retail functions• But this varied depending on their regional

location and demographic structure, e.g.: ‘Dormitory SMSTs’ in metropolitan regions had

larger number of young families Whereas ‘isolated SMSTs’ in rural regions had

older population Different demands on services and economy• In particular isolated rural SMSTs had service

functions typical of much larger places – reflected serving wider rural hinterland

Case Studies – Issues• Not much evidence of sharing services with

other proximate SMSTs• Reflects tendency for ‘local interests’ to

dominate• Many small towns losing young people – ‘brain

drain’• Some had problems attracting ‘highly qualified’

residents despite good quality of life• ‘Creative sector’ significant in some SMSTs –

but not a panacea - most cannot become ‘creative towns’

• Industrial sector still important – needs support

Summary• At all levels of governance there is a need to

recognise the importance of small towns and for a clear focus on their role(s)

• ‘Joined-up’/place-based approach needed• Need appropriate forms of multi-level

governance in terms of vertical, horizontal and territorial governance - nested approach

• Inter-municipal cooperation/coordination needs to be better developed

• Spatial planning at regional level can play an important role here – ‘pulling things together’ and focusing action

• Developing mobilisation capacity vital