Boris A. Portnov, Professor of Urban & Regional Planning, School of Environmental Sciences, University of Haifa, Israel

‘This is a refreshing look at what makes places tick. Portnov skillfully weaves a story that speaks to academics, practitioners and laymen alike. A central tenet is the notion of the “locational package”. This represents the synergetic attributes of a place that allow it to survive and prosper over time. This theme is tested insightfully at different spatial scales making for a compelling and thought-provoking read.’

• ContentsPreface vii1 Environment, place and growth – introduction 2 Location as a package of attributes 3 Locational factors in theoretical and conceptual studies 4 Locational indices in empirical research 5 Locational package – lessons from the past 6 Locational package – contemporary trends 7 Locational package and the concentration of wealth 8 On the relativity of urban location9 Temporal change in the importance of locational attributes 10 Locational package of major cities worldwide11 Application of the locational package concept to intraurbananalysis 12 Conclusions ... the ‘cake’ model?

Boris A. Portnov, Professor of Urban & Regional Planning, School of Environmental Sciences, University of Haifa, Israel

‘This is a refreshing look at what makes places tick. Portnov skillfully weaves a story that speaks to academics, practitioners and laymen alike. A central tenet is the notion of the “locational package”. This represents the synergetic attributes of a place that allow it to survive and prosper over time. This theme is tested insightfully at different spatial scales making for a compelling and thought-provoking read.’

• ContentsPreface vii1 Environment, place and growth – introduction 2 Location as a package of attributes 3 Locational factors in theoretical and conceptual studies 4 Locational indices in empirical research 5 Locational package – lessons from the past 6 Locational package – contemporary trends 7 Locational package and the concentration of wealth 8 On the relativity of urban location9 Temporal change in the importance of locational attributes 10 Locational package of major cities worldwide11 Application of the locational package concept to intraurbananalysis 12 Conclusions ... the ‘cake’ model?

Boris A. Portnov, Professor of Urban & Regional Planning, School of Environmental Sciences, University of Haifa, Israel

‘This is a refreshing look at what makes places tick. Portnov skillfully weaves a story that speaks to academics, practitioners and laymen alike. A central tenet is the notion of the “locational package”. This represents the synergetic attributes of a place that allow it to survive and prosper over time. This theme is tested insightfully at different spatial scales making for a compelling and thought-provoking read.’

• ContentsPreface vii1 Environment, place and growth – introduction 2 Location as a package of attributes 3 Locational factors in theoretical and conceptual studies 4 Locational indices in empirical research 5 Locational package – lessons from the past 6 Locational package – contemporary trends 7 Locational package and the concentration of wealth 8 On the relativity of urban location9 Temporal change in the importance of locational attributes 10 Locational package of major cities worldwide11 Application of the locational package concept to intraurbananalysis 12 Conclusions ... the ‘cake’ model?