Title: Embedding eco-industrialism into local economies: the search for sustainable business and policy paradigms

Authors: Peter Wells, Gillian Bristow

Addresses: Cardiff Business School, Cardiff University, Aberconway Building, Colum Drive, Cardiff CF10 3EU, UK. ' School of City and Regional Planning, Cardiff University, Glamorgan Building, King Edward VII Avenue, Cardiff CF10 3WA, UK

Abstract: This paper seeks to integrate several diverse literatures as the basis of an innovative approach that embeds eco-industrialism in local economies. Emergent business models provide the micro-economic basis of embedded eco-industrialism, while the eco-industrial park provides potential foundations for regenerative eco-localism. The paper then seeks insights offered by critical theorists and alternative economic discourses in order to argue that industrial ecology, if conceived of as being within the framework of alternative discourses, could do much to bring greater understanding of development trajectories that would allow places to escape the tyranny of uncontrollable economic forces. In so doing, the paper makes a contribution to the search for business and spatial policy models that encourage a better |fit| between businesses and their local and regional environment, where environment is seen in its broadest sense.

Keywords: eco-industrial parks; regenerative eco-localism; local economic development; regional economic development; place competitiveness; social enterprise; sustainable business; business policy; industrial ecology.

DOI: 10.1504/PIE.2007.015187

Progress in Industrial Ecology, An International Journal, 2007 Vol.4 No.3/4, pp.205 - 218

Published online: 21 Sep 2007 *

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