Eco-industrial clusters: enhancing regional economic development through environmental linkages

Developing countries in Asia are struggling to cope with the negative impacts of concentrated industrial activities. Inspired by the theory of industrial ecology, eco-towns or eco-industrial parks are frequently promoted in many localities as a strategy for reducing the environmental burden of industry in a way that is consistent with economic development. Yet the reach of those eco-approaches are limited to traditional manufacturing industries concentrated in urban areas. For countries still focusing on manufacturing they are good models to follow.