A Scientific Program on Urban Performance and Dynamics

Given the disagreement that often emerges among scholars concerning relevant urban economics issues, an in-depth analysis of the theoretical and empirical justification of the different positions looks crucial. This analysis is presented in this chapter through the lens of the scientific research program that guided the authors for more than 20 years in the field of urban performance and dynamics. The chapter therefore goes through a number of urban economics issues that were highly debated, and provides the way in which the authors have addressed (and partly solved) such theoretical and empirical issues. The chapter provides a historical perspective; engaging in this critical analysis encompassing a long period of time refers to the possibility of taking some distance with respect to the evolution of economic thought concerning cities and consequently of being in a better condition for pointing out possible ignored or overlooked scientific dimensions that could fruitfully be inquired now on.