Autonomous industrialization in South West Flaunders (Belgium): continuity and transformation

The industrial development of South West Flanders, Belgium, can be attributed to a host of factors. These include a significant capacity for social and economic self-regulation at the local level and the residents' motivation to attain economic independence. South West Flanders residents also boast of a remarkable capacity to adapt to changes in the environment and their collective efforts in promoting relative local autonomy.
INTRODUCTION AND THEORETICAL BACKGROUND In recent years, South West Flanders has been one of the fastest growing regions in Belgium. Its acclaimed economic performance has resulted almost exclusively from the [...]