Leaves in the wind? Local policies of small and medium-sized towns in metropolitan regions

Small and medium-sized towns (SMSTs) contribute to the economic
performance of whole metropolitan regions. However, the variety of
factors that influence the economic development of SMSTs is
understudied and the impact and relevance of their local policies
are especially unclear. This article studies local policies of SMSTs
within the metropolitan region of Zurich (Switzerland) and the
impact of local policies on the economic specialization of these
towns. Switzerland serves as an interesting context in which to
study SMSTs, particularly those in metropolitan regions, due to
their constant growth and the high local autonomy enjoyed by
Swiss local governments. Using a multiple case study design that
relies on a pair-wise comparison, we find that the economic
specialization of SMSTs can mainly be explained by factors that
are exogenous to local policy-making such as the town’s location
and its connectivity. Land-use strategies are the only local policies
that can influence the economic specialization of SMSTs.
Therefore, SMSTs are well advised to invest in professionalized
land-use departments and to coordinate their land-use strategies
with neighbouring jurisdictions.