Industrial paths and local governance in intermediates cities of Madrid periphery: the cases of Getafe and Alcalá de Henares

Abstract

In recent years the interest for the role of intermediate cities in territorial development has become a central issue in urban development studies. More specifically, the construction of metropolitan areas based on polycentric urban structures raises the role these cities play in the construction of metropolitan outskirts and their ability to overcome the challenges posed by the particular conditions of these environments. In this paper, we present the cases of Getafe and Alcalá de Henares, both characterized by outstanding developmental trajectories in the Madrid metropolitan context for its success in building a model of development characterized by the importance of the industrial sector. It is argued that this has been possible thanks to the enterprises’ innovative capacity, and the characteristics of their respective institutional contexts. The research was based on 68 interviews conducted in both cities as well as quantitative sources commonly used in studies of industrial activity and urban development.

Keywords

• ciudades intermedias
• innovación
• actividad industrial
• gobernanza