City-systems: A new development strategy to promote a new economic paradigm

Article type: Research Article

Authors: Fusco Girard, Francesco^{; *}

Affiliations: Seconda Universitá degli Studi di Napoli, Naples, Italy

Correspondence: [*] Corresponding author: Francesco Fusco Girard, Seconda Universitá degli Studi di Napoli, via del parco Margherita, 14 80121 Naples, Italy. Tel.: +39 338 1963 777; Fax: +39 081 425471; Email: [email protected]

Abstract: City system is usually shaped by the prevailing development model. Since current development model is un-sustainable in the long term - because of the raw materials price volatility and furthermore because of its huge impacts on the environment, – it is clear that a new development model is needed. Thus, in this paper we analyze the role of city-systems in order to promote such new development paradigm, highlighting that its real implementation depends not only on legislative framework and technological improvements, but it is mainly a matter of values, a matter of culture. Finally we identified a possible evolution path which considers “western cities” (Europe, North-America, Japan and some selected in the Middle East) as key entrance point and the most fertile location for really starting a new development paradigm implementation.

Keywords: City-systems, sustainable development strategy, culture, symbiosis, de-coupling

DOI: 10.3233/HSM-140804

Journal: Human Systems Management, vol. 33, no. 1-2, pp. 35-45, 2014