ICT clusters in European cities : The cases of Helsinki , Manchester and The Hague

The ICT (information and communication technology) sector is at the centre of interest to cities, that see the sector as new source of wealth and employment. This paper describes and analyses ICT clusters and cluster policies in three European cities: Manchester, The Hague and Helsinki. The clusters show a very diverse development pattern, mainly due to differences in the spatial-economic structure of the cities and their position in their national urban systems. It is concluded that development chances depend on the initial size and quality of the cluster, the degree to which local knowledge-resources are exploited, the structure and quality of the local demand for ICT products and services, and very importantly, the quality of the urban living environment.