From Space to Territory: Relational Development and Territorial Competitiveness.

Abstract

AbstractThe paper reviews the scientific G REMI ’s research path confronting its main results with differentapproaches relating to a dynamic theory of territorial systems of production and innovation ( TSPIs).Four main concepts - innovation, learning, networking and governance - guide the reflection: theyare focal points in the new emerging paradigm of territorial development.Theoretically justifying why proximity matters, the paper ends stressing the need for a right balanceof the two dimensions of internal synergy (embeddedness) and external energy (openness) in re-producing relational development and territorial competitiveness.ResumeCe papier resume le parcours de recherche du G REMI . Il compare les principaux resultats del’approche avec differentes demarches reliees a une theorie dynamique des systemes territoriaux deproduction et d’innovation.La reflection s’articule autour de quatre concepts - innovation, apprentissage, reseaux etgouvernance - qui representent les elements centraux du nouveau paradigme emergent dudeveloppement territorial.En justifiant pourquoi la proximite est importante, le papier termine en soulignant la necessite d’unjuste equilibre entre les deux dimensions de synergies internes (enracinement) et energies externes(ouverture) dans la reproduction du developpement relationnel et de la competitivite territoriale.