Capital cities play an important role in shaping the cultural, social and political identity of a nation. They serve as decision making centers of a nation and each is an important nucleus of a country`s civil society. Often overlooked, however, is the unique economic geography of a capital city and there is a lack of understanding about the ways in which political and economic actors shape the capital city economy. Our group is currently conducting research for two projects for which we analyze the capital city economy of Washington D.C. and Bern. In one of the projects, we analyze the economic revitalization and innovation potential of the relocation of the Department of Homeland Security into one of Washington D.C.`s most disenfranchised neighborhoods (for a short video explaining the project see this link http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=HRs3cQkE6ic). The other project examines the capital city economy of the Swiss capital region around Bern. Through this research we hope to give answers to the question how capital cities form a unique economic system which facilitates knowledge transfer between public and private actors.
Martin Luther King memorial (Foto: Heike Mayer)
This September we had the chance to take a field trip to Washington D.C., which was sponsored by the U.S. Embassy in Bern, Switzerland. Our goal was to learn about Washington D.C.`s efforts to position itself as a capital city. The group included representatives from the economic geography research group (Heike Mayer, Tina Haisch, Fabian Bauer and Janina Keller) and from the Swiss Capital Region (Regula Buchmüller, André Nietlisbach, Georg Tobler, http://www.hauptstadtregion.ch/). Our program included meetings with planning practitioners and economic developers from Washington D.C. and from adjacent communities such as Arlington Count and the City of Alexandria. We also met with our academic colleagues from the Urban Affairs and Planning Program at Virginia Tech`s Alexandria Center. In addition, we visited several neighborhoods and areas that are currently undergoing significant revitalization and development. The conversations, meetings and tours gave us unique insights into the ways in which Washington D.C. is developing. Washington D.C. is currently undergoing tremendous changes: Over the last couple of years, the city has seen a tremendous amount of redevelopment in many of its core neighborhoods. D.C. has evolved into a very attractive city, particularly for young and talented people. The region also benefits from the close relationships between federal government institutions and the private sector. Planners and economic developers in the Washington D.C. region are proactively leveraging these dynamics, and are trying to position the city as a sustainable and economically competitive place.
The group before the executive office of the mayor (Foto: Heike Mayer)
The field trip allowed us to experience Washington D.C. from a variety of perspectives. We engaged in exciting conversations about the limits and opportunities of development in the U.S. capital region. We learned about Alexandria`s efforts in attracting nonprofit groups and associations. We discussed Arlington County`s efforts to focus on sustainable economic development. We were intrigued by various ways in which D.C. depends on the federal government. And we enjoyed debates about gentrification, segregation and urban revitalization over a good beer or a glass of wine. By way of this report and the following two entries that Fabian and Janina wrote, we would like to thank the U.S. Embassy for the generous support of this field trip. The field trip was exciting, not just because we saw a lot but also because we met many interesting and nice people and we hope to continue this transatlantic relationship in the future.
Meeting with the National Capital Planning Commission (Foto: Janina Keller)
Heike Mayer
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