Overlap, gaps and relations between the elements of competitiveness and sustainability of cities

Abstract

Due to globalization and increased competitiveness, cities have sought to identify and evaluate the factors related to their performance and their impact on their development. Why are many factors that affect the competitiveness performance of cities, which now competeglobally, it is extremely important that the analysis of competitiveness is treated in a systematic way, thus enabling demonstrate the influence of economic, social and environmental variables in their competitiveness. The present study aimed to jointly analyze the main factors of competitiveness andsustainability in the context of cities, considering the perception of stakeholders and experts. Based on the literature, where different concepts and approaches to competitiveness and sustainability have been identified, was drafted a proposal for a framework of analysis of the categories of competitiveness that encompassed elements of sustainability. This proposal was subsequently used as a research tool, aimed to verify the applicability of the same perception of stakeholders and experts. Interviews and cognitive maps developed were conducted with twelve experts and social actors in nine different cities. Finally, it was found preliminarily that a city could be both competitive and sustainable, as well as those factors discussed in both themes are complementary and not competitors, which identifies that the analysis of the competitiveness of a city should include factors sustainability.