LOCAL ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT PLAN FOR TBILISI ... - LED

1.2. Tbilisi in Georgian economy
On its way to becoming a regional center, Tbilisi’s relationships with the rest of the country
should naturally be transformed. The role of cities as major actors on the world economy
stage demands rethinking the whole approach to urban areas and their role in economic
growth and improving quality of life. This rethinking is required not only within cities, but at
the national level. City has not only the value of itself, but can mean even more in context
of the whole region. The realities of a global economy dictate that all levels of government
reevaluate their understanding of the role of cities, and their policies and approaches
towards cities and towns. While each city is developing its own solutions, particular group
of them should benefit from working together to develop and implement an integrated
national, approach to advancing the economies of major urban centers.
Funding and resources must now be directed toward supporting the transition to a
knowledge economy, in the same way that the government supported the resource
sector, and traditional manufacturing industries in the past. Central government
representatives need to take into account the likely impacts of their policy and program
decisions on urban economies. The emerging role of cities has been recognized round
the world and is being exploited as a engines of national economic growth. A wide range
of innovative initiatives and institutions are being put in place to more effectively respond
to the changing context for cities.
Population
Table 1-1 Population in Georgia and Tbilisi 2001-2006
Population (thds people)
Georgia - total Tbilisi Tbilisi share %
2001 4401.4 1089.7 24.8
2002 4371.5 1081.7 24.7
2003 4342.6 1083.5 25.0
2004 4315.2 1086.4 25.2
2005 4321.5 1092.6 25.3
2006 4401.3 1103.3 25.1
7