Innovation Districts - In Search for Backbones of Innovation

• In Event: Experiments in Infrastructure I

Abstract

Traditionally innovations were created in isolated facilities located in the suburbs. Nowadays, it is much more common that innovative companies localise their offices and workspaces in city centers in order to facilitate interactions between individuals from different companies and industries. Those areas are labeled ‘innovation districts’ (IDs).

In our paper we want to focus on two issues: (1) Do successful IDs emerge naturally (bottom-up) or maybe they must be designed and “dictated” by city agencies (eg. urban planners)? (2) What kind of invisible human/nonhuman actors are responsible for facilitating and sustaining IDs?
In our research we concentrate not on particular companies, but on their social and spatial environment which can be perceive as infrastructure for innovative processes. We analyse both social practices and elements of the architecture, localisation of creative companies, their direct proximity.
Our paper is based on data gathered through multi-sited ethnography of infrastructure conducted in 3 Polish cities and complemented with data acquired with geographical information system (GIS) tools. In each city we study two areas: one naturally occurring ID (NOID) and one planned ID (PID). The presentation discusses results from first wave of longitudinal study (4 years) intended at monitoring fluctuations of particular IDs and mobility of particular workers and companies.
In the paper we will present not at the ‘core’ of creative industries but on work of invisible agents sustaining the very existence of IDs. We are refereeing here to staff of technology parks, architects, officials, planners, facilitators, people renting offices, equipment, co-working spaces, event local businesses and cafes.

Authors

• Jacek Gadecki, University of Science and Technology AGH

• Karolina Anielska, National Institute of Spatial Policy and Housing; JU, Institute of Geography and Spatial Management

• Ilona Morawska, National Institute of Spatial Policy and Housing

• Lucas Afeltowicz, Institute of Sociology, Nicolaus Copernicus University, Toruń, Poland