<論説>旧産業地域ビルバオにおける縮退とレジリエンス --都市再開発、イノベーション政策-- (特集 : 滅び)

Abstract

本稿は、スペインの旧産業地域ビルバオにおいて、縮退過程の産業構造転換の進展や二〇一〇年前後の不況期におけるレジリエンスの作用について検証した。ビルバオでは、基幹産業であった重工業の衰退後、都市再開発が進められ、サービス経済化が進展した。また、州政府を中心にイノベーション創出に向けた取り組みも展開され、既存製造業以外への拡張・成長を目指す多様化戦略を促進した。二〇一〇年前後の不況により、ビルバオでは基礎素材型工業を中心に雇用状況が悪化した。これまで進んできたサービス経済化やハイテクを中心とした加工組立型工業への製造業の高度化は、悪影響を一定程度抑えることに寄与した。これは、地域経済のレジリエンスが作用し、ショックの緩和に役割を果たしたといえる。州政府は、イノベーション創出の取り組みをさらに進め、レジリエンスが作用した経験がさらなるレジリエンスの強化につながっている。

This paper examines the progress of the structural transformation of industries during the process of urban shrinkage and decline and the effects of resilience during the recession before and after 2010 in the old industrial area of Bilbao. The steel industry in Bilbao grew in the 19th century because of its proximity to iron ore resources, and the city spread due to industrial development. The metropolitan area expanded due to suburbanization during which disparity arose in the socio-economic status between the inhabitants the left and right banks of the Nervion River within the urban area. From the 1970s to the first half of the 1980s, pivotal points were the establishment of a high degree of autonomy in the Basque Country, the decline of heavy industry, which had been instrumental, and the occurrence of a major flood of the river. The decline of the manufacturing not only engendered high unemployment and a declining population, but also a widening gap between the left and right banks of the river. From the late 1980s to the early 1990s, a movement aimed at recovery from the industrial crisis began, promoting the urban redevelopment of Bilbao. Following improvement in the living environment and transportation infrastructure, marketing of the city was instituted, using buildings designed by famous architects. This became a model case for the revitalization of old industrial areas. From the 1980s onward, the Basque Country also developed initiatives to foster innovation, embarking on a pioneering cluster policy in the 1990s, and later promoting a diversification strategy aimed at expanding and growing beyond the existing manufacturing sector. The recession that followed the global financial crisis around 2010 negatively affected Bilbao, causing an increase in the unemployment rate. The impact came earlier on the left bank, where the economic base was already relatively weak, and further solidified the gap between the left and right banks. During the recession, the largest decline in employment occurred in the basic materials industry, represented by the steel industry. Conversely, the shift to a service economy and the upgrading of manufacturing to processing and assembly-oriented industries centered on high technology contributed to reducing the negative impact to a certain degree. Hence, the resilience of the local economy, which had developed over the years, played a role in mitigating the shocks. This resilience was influenced by a technological path dependent on knowledge and capabilities of existing industries, as well as an innovation policy based on diversification strategies. The Basque government is further promoting innovation and creative initiatives and is working to reduce uncertainty. This experience of resilience in action has led to further strengthening of this resilience. For Bilbao, urban redevelopment once again became significant in various respects. It not only had the effects pointed out above, such as providing a basis for the development of a service economy, but it also led to the experience of problem solving through global connections. This problem-solving approach was also reflected in the innovation policy, which worked strongly for the Basque Country, which has a powerful sense of autonomy. Accordingly, the Bilbao effect should be examined in the context of its multifaceted impact. However, there are still issues concerning Bilbao's revitalization that need to be addressed. The disparity within the urban area has not been eliminated, and it may even widen in the future due to the uneven distribution of high-level human resources. Through this study, I have shown that the idea of regional economic resilience in the study of old industrial areas and shrinking cities provides a new perspective on the cumulative effects of short-term shock resilience on medium- and long-term growth paths.