Policy Review Section

Abstract

In this issue of the Policy Review Section, Keith Shaw of the Department of Economics and Government, University of Northumbria at Newcastle, drawing on experience in the North East of England examines the value of the “urban growth coalition” model and the concept of “new urban corporatism” in explaining the power structure underlying contemporary urban regeneration strategies. In the second Article, John Tuppen of the Department of Economics, École Supérieure de Commerce de Lyon, examines the French government's experience in establishing enterprise zones to address the problems arising from the withdrawal of state subsidies to the shipbuilding industry. In the third Article, Martyn Andrews of the University of Manchester And Steve Bradley of the Department of Economics, Lancaster University, argue that the career services are a valuable source of local labour market information arising from their role in providing vocational guidance and placement services. Drawing on a survey in the North West region they make suggestions as to how Training and Enterprise Councils and other agencies could utilize this potentially valuable data source. In the fourth Article, Mike Campbell And Simon Baldwin of the Policy Research Unit at Leeds Metropolitan University examine the distinction between recruitment difficulties and skills shortages in labour market analysis based on a survey of the position in Yorkshire and Humberside. They argue that it is possible, drawing on survey data used to produce the CALLMI system, to provide useful information concerning these factors and that it would be desirable to undertake an annual analysis which would greatly facilitate the formulation and implementation of Training and Enterprise Council programmes. Finally, Mike Coombes, Stan Openshaw, Cecilia Wong And Simon Raybould of the Centre for Urban and Regional Development Studies, University of Newcastle upon Tyne, examine the value of a geographical information system to aid the Local Government Commission in its work in establishing appropriate Local government boundaries.