Micro-Geographies of Information and Communication Technology Firms in a Shrinking Medium-Sized Industrial City of Ostrava (Czechia)

Abstract

We aimed to explain the spatial distribution of information and communication technology (ICT) firms in the city of Ostrava as an example of a medium-sized, shrinking, polycentric industrial city. The primary research question was to what extent micro-geographic location factors affect the current spatial clustering of ICT firms in polycentric cities characteristic by relatively weak urbanization economies and mostly routine character of ICT activities. We analyse and test the effects of the urban form at the level of urban blocks and individual buildings (considering their height, technical condition, age and dominant function) on the clustering of ICT firms of various sizes and ownership statuses. The inquiry was based on a detailed field mapping (using ArcGIS Collector) of ICT firms and physical/functional characteristics of the buildings and their immediate surroundings. ICT firms are significantly spatially concentrated in the historic city centre and inner city. Spatial patterns of ICT firms focused on less knowledge-intensive, routine and/or lower value-added functions do not differ fundamentally from innovative firms developing new products. Preference of denser, walkable, mixed-use neighbourhoods in urban cores/inner cities can be found in the group of firms focusing on routine functions: rather for larger than for smaller firms and domestic than foreign-owned firms.

Spatial, Functional, and Landscape Changes in a Medium-Sized Post-Industrial City Based on Aerial Photo Analysis: The Case of Gorlice (Poland)

“…Typically, the topic of the transformation of the industrial function in small and mediumsized cities appears in the context of examples of brownfield redevelopment [3,14,[69][70][71][72][73]. There are also publications analysing single or compiled examples of transformation in selected centres [74].…”

Semi-Natural Areas on Post-Mining Brownfields as an Opportunity to Strengthen the Attractiveness of a Small Town. An Example of Radzionków in Southern Poland

“…In North America or Asian countries, much attention has been paid to demographic and social issues, while in the European debate, especially concerning Central and Eastern Europe, economic issues were a key element, emphasizing reindustrialization [47][48][49][50][51]. In Central and Eastern Europe, such an approach undoubtedly resulted from economic and financial constraints on implementing social policies [8,52,53]. The exception was former East Germany, where the federal government's support significantly enabled urban and social modernization plans (Stadtumbau Ost) [54][55][56].…”