Multi-stage Strategic Approach in Spatial Innovation: How Innovation District Matter?

In the 21st century globalised economy, innovation is a crucial factor within strategies targeted at growing and sustaining competitiveness of regions and cities. Accordingly, the creation of knowledge process, along with sharing and commercialisation, became an effective response to the pressures generated by globalisation in order to increase the competitive advantage. The emerging trend of innovation-led urban planning initiatives provides strong evidence of how cities are implementing strategies to promote innovation mainstreaming. Hence, these innovation-oriented policies, which are targeted at reshaping cities, are currently translated in the creation of innovation districts. This paper aims at identifying the actors who foster the innovation process at urban level, and analysing their influence throughout the innovation district life cycle. Firstly, the authors assess the role played by public and private sector in the different stages of innovation district development, by adapting the Urban Land Institute conceptual framework in the Innovation Life Cycle District Assessment. Secondly, empirical research works are defined in order to test the ILCDA. The Boston Innovation District and the IDEA District are the two case studies under investigation, by pointing out the policies and planning initiatives undertaken in the Seaport area of Boston and in Downtown San Diego, respectively. Findings from this research highlight the level of public private partnership effectiveness in supporting the development of innovation districts. Useful lessons can be drawn in encouraging planners and policy-makers towards undertaking combined actions at the different stages of the development process.