Size isn’t everything

“Small and medium­sized towns are often seen as the poor relations of metropolitan areas. However, since 2001, towns in the EU15 countries have been experiencing stronger economic growth than big cities. In Switzerland, too, the economic and political importance of small and medium­sized towns is likely to increase further. We are studying the roles, particularities and potentials of such towns. The results will provide a basis for future funding and development.”

Heike Mayer, economic geographer, University of Bern

Study of three Swiss towns: many new flats are being built in Bulle, Canton of Fribourg. Businesses mainly provide for regional needs, the majority of people in work are commuters. Belp in the Canton of Bern is a typical small town with an industry sector that is mostly low-tech (below at left). Thun, on the other hand, is home to a number of high-tech enterprises. Susanne Szenkuti, Michael Gassner and Florian Kühne from Thun’s planning office are making use of results obtained in Heike Mayer’s research project (below at right).