DEFINITION OF A PUBLIC-PRIVATE MANAGEMENT MODEL FOR INDUSTRIAL ESTATES IN SPAIN BASED IN THE BUSINESS IMPROVEMENT DISTRICT SYSTEM.

Abstract

ABSTRACT: The present study took place between January and June 2011 in the industrial environment of the Txorierri Corridor, Spain, consisting of 17 estates in the Basque municipalities of Sondika, Loiu, Derio, Zamudio, Lezama and Larrabetzu. In order to improve the functioning of these productive spaces, public enterprise Behargintza Txorierri and the Torrelarragoiti Entrepreneurs Association decided to analyze the feasibility of implementing a system of public-private management based on the BID (Business Improvement District) methodology, very successful in revitalizing urban centers in the United States and England. This is the first application of a BID in a Spanish industrial environment. With this objective, infrastructures and services of the 17 industrial estates were characterized, in addition to analyzing the different alternatives of industrial management at the international level, verifying that BID methodology was the most appropiate for the case. Finally, the implementation of a pilot experience was undertaken in the Ugaldeguren Estate by means of a specific Improvement Plan based on service demands expressed by the entrepreneurs through a survey. We conclude that these estates have a suitable infrastructure with the needs of basic services covered, which means that local government performs its duties efficiently. However, the advanced services (security, waste management, etc.) hardly exist due to the limited involvement of private initiative in the management and improvement of the estates. Moreover, the urban characteristics, administrative, etc. are common to all these estates, which makes possible a single body of public-private management. Efforts should focus on engaging employers through the promotion of associations.