Knight, Richard V. 1993. "Sustainable development - sustainable cities." International Social Science Journal 45 (1): 35-54.

Thesis: "This article considers the implications of the paradigm shift from one of industrial growth to sustainable development from the vantage point of cities - more specifically, from that of European cities. We shall ask why it falls on European cities to reassert their historic role as a civilizing force, and why this may come to be" (p. 35).

Summary:

Sustainable development imperative: New responsibilities for cities.

Cities are facing a new, knowledge-based development paradigm. This is the result of several factors: the advancement of science and technology; the changing nature of wealth creation; by specialization and the division of knowledge; the intensification of global economic forces; the increasing complexity of interpersonal and inter-institutional relations and the globalization of production, as well as by a growing awareness that industrial growth with minimal regard for human and ecological values has reached its limits.

Knowledge-based: Knight argues: "the city's economy is being transformed from that of producing and exporting goods in competitive world markets to that of exporting solutions and knowledge" (p. 36). Further, "...since wealth creation is becoming increasingly knowledge-intensive and since knowledge is culturally based and concentrated primarily in cities, cities must play a role in transforming knowledge into local economic development and in the governance of values on which their core competencies depend" (p. 37).

Intentional city development: Urban development should be locally-based, regionally-oriented, interdisciplinary with a holistic and prospective framework.

A prototype study of knowledge-based development:

Delft is a small (less than 100,000 population) city in Holland which was founded in 1246. It developed as a manufacturing center, but has recently undergone a transformation to more knowledge-based activities (university town). The case study explores the changing local culture including a basic value shift towards a learning-based society. Knight provides a very detailed history, methodology and analysis (see pp. 39-49).

Towards a policy framework for cities: Strengthening knowledge cultures

Basically, Knight argues that "cities must become more pro-active and more responsive to the global business culture and work towards opening up the city to new ideas and increasing innovation" (p. 50). There are ten conditions which are based on the European model which can be applied to other city development (see pp. 50-51).

In conclusion, Knight calls for "...cities to become intentional and sustainable development must become a matter of policy" (p. 53).

Keywords: sustainable cities, knowledge-based development, intentional cities