ANTALYA + X = BARCELONA: WHICH ECONOMIC POLICIES (X) MUST BE APPLIED ?

Abstract

The subject and purpose of this study is to examine Antalya, one of Europe's largest tourism centers, in the context of Barcelona. The reason for considering Barcelona as a lath is that it is a bridge in the geographic region of Afro-Eurasia like Antalya and it is located in the post-modern Silk Road. Barcelona is first city of Spain's richest and second one autonomous regions of Catalonia, one of the most developed cities in the world, while Antalya is only the fifth most developed city according to Turkey's local socio-economic criteria. In addition, Barcelona is an "alpha city" according to its globalization and financialization level, while Antalya is not even "beta" or "gamma city". In the vital sectors such as production, transportation, energy and tourism in order for Antalya to be a global alpha city like Barcelona and to be a model for sustainable urbanism in Turkey, which is composed of 3-T (tourism-agriculture-trade), some radical economic policies must be adveanced and applied urgently. For example: X1: Young unemployment should be reduced by creating new employment and income areas such as "biotechnology" and by showing gender justice sensitivity. X2: Efficient agricultural land should be protected and "farm tourism" should be widespread to increase added value in tourism. X3: A large number of large-scale "solar power stations" should be installed in order to increase the diversity and efficiency of electricity in the city where the solar supply is abundant. X4: As the tourist flow is excessive, the "high speed train" project should be initiated in order to contribute to road safety and air traffic in the city and region. X5: The "urban transformation" program based on Euro-Mediterranean hybrid architecture should be accelerated to limit internal migration and distorted construction and to eradicate their bad traces. It should establish a "sister city" relationship between Antalya, which will gain global values from the implementation of local economic policies and inherit them to the future, and Barcelona, one of the most livable and innovative cities of the world. This is a natural requirement for hosting the common Mediterranean civilization and ancient cities. In terms of Antalya, it is necessary for the community to insist on demanding and the strong determination of the city administrators to make the above “unknown X's” “known and visible.”
Key Words: Antalya Economy, Barcelona, Economic Policies X
JEL Codes: R58, R59, Z59