Advertisement
Published in:
2016 | OriginalPaper | Chapter
5. Cities and the Creative Blue Green Economy
Author : Voula P. Mega
Published in: Conscious Coastal Cities
Publisher: Springer International Publishing
Activate our intelligent search to find suitable subject content or patents.
Select sections of text to find matching patents with Artificial Intelligence. powered by
Select sections of text to find additional relevant content using AI-assisted search. powered by
Abstract
Coastal cities are privileged crossroads of exchanges on a globalising chessboard, the very places where many diverse value chains on land and sea interact and economic flows can be converted and intensified to better satisfy the expectations of citizens, business and organisations. Since 90 % of the total volume of the world trade is done by sea, port cities by definition are the cities through which most of the world’s wealth moves. However, they are not just “passage” cities. Brainports and well-functioning harbours can reinforce global value chains and can generate sustainable value and employment. Their competitiveness depends on the strength of their functions, their maritime links and their hinterland connections. Sustainable infrastructures can help reconcile ports and cities with the oceans and the planet.
This chapter highlights the capacity and achievements of coastal cities as strongholds of the coastal, blue and green economies. In times of uncertainty, multiple dividend innovations are essential for creating new assets, often out of liabilities, and capturing synergies. Industrial symbiosis in ports is critical for the creation of thriving maritime clusters and high value services. Eco-responsible blue green businesses have a key role to play in creating sustainable value out of values and leading corporate action for responsible cities and global ocean governance.