From 'Blue Banana' to 'Red Octopus' and the development of Eastern and Southern European cities: Warsaw and Lisbon

Abstract

The documentation of the enlargement and transition to the economic growth of European cities from the pole of Central Western Europe known as Blue Banana (London-Milan) to a new frame called Red Octopus which designates the European metropolis as important economic centers of Central East Europe, South Europe and mainly the Iberian Peninsula is the aim of this article. The case studies of Warsaw and Lisbon will be analyzed by focusing on their course to competitiveness during 1990-2010 which had as a result to be included in the list of the top 20 investment destination of Europe. The conclusion by the analysis of these case studies shows that the main factors that contributed to a successful course of the two cities were the strategic planning, the development of partnership between public and private sector and the adaptation and implementation of innovative development plans which had as target the international promotion of the image of the two cities.