A detailed overview of general markets and types of city competition, also the analysis of different aspects of the term

city competitiveness suggested by different authors prove that cities compete on different scales and by product types. According to Turok et al (2004), cities compete for the position of regional service centre, for nationally and internationally traded products, for inward investment, for skilled mobile population, and in episodic markets to host international conventions, cultural festivals, sporting fixtures and other hallmark events. A variety of definitions of city competitiveness and key aspects emphasied in each definition are presented in Table 2. Table 2. Definitions of City Competitiveness Definition of City Competitiveness The degree to which it can, under free and fair market conditions, produce goods and services which meet the test of international markets, while simultaneously maintaining and expanding the real incomes of its people over the long term. Competitiveness reflects the capability of an economy to attract and maintain firms with stable or rising shares in activity, while maintaining stable or increasing standards of living for those who participate in it. City competitiveness refers to the ability of an city region to produce and market a set of products (goods and services) that represent good value (not necessarily lowest price) in relation to comparable products of other city regions. Non-tradables, e.g., local services, are part of the competitiveness equation. May be conceived of as involving attempts by agencies representing particular areas to enhance their locational advantage by manipulating some of the attributes which contribute to their areas value as a location for various activities. An ability to attract flows of information, technology, capital, culture, people and organizations that are important to the region, and along with it, the ability to maintain and develop the quality of life and standards of living of local residents, as well as an ability to create an innovative operational environment in which companies can develop their competitiveness

Author OECD

Emphasized Aspects Competitiveness of city products; high/rising income of local population Attraction/retaining of successful firms; high standards of living Increasing competitiveness of local products

Storper (1997)

Webster ir Muller (2000)

Gordon and Cheshire (2001)

Increase of capital resources, control of markets, wellbeing of local community Ability to attract flows, innovative milieu, competitiveness of firms, high standards of living.

Kostiainen (2002)