The innovation zone is a local area designated to demonstrate and facilitate community involvement in innovation and sustainability. The innovation Zone offers opportunities for experiencing and developing the full urban ecosystem collaboration of the local government, SMEs, academic institutions, NGOs, schools and the local resident community.

This is especially relevant for the smart cities market as the commitment of the regional stakeholders and the close cooperation with local governments will allow SMEs to develop solutions more suitable to the real needs of cities.

Therefore, an “Innovation Zone” should be understood as a friendly ecosystem that supports SMEs creation and capacitation towards smart cities solution innovation. It will serve as a pilot action in the field of smart cities innovation and of co-creation and co-innovation based on transnational cooperation.

The planning and design of the innovation zone toolbox builds on previous work undergone through the project, the studies and work with both cities and SMEs and on the resulting deliverables of the SME4SMARTCITIES project and it increases their impact - A3.1.3 Urban Challenges and Readiness Study, A3.1.6 Report on the opportunities for SMEs to participate in the market of smart city solutions, 3.2.2: Diagnosis of the existing & needed support services for innovative & technological SMEs in the MED region and A4.1.1 online smart cities course. This toolbox is also integrated with A4.1.8 Sustainable Innovation Support Toolbox.

This toolbox is a methodological framework applicable for cities across the Mediterranean region and for going beyond individual cities, establishing transnational knowledge sharing and cooperation.

 

Purpose and Objectives

In recent years, city leaders have been attracting talent through the transformation and sustainable development of public buildings, institutions, streets, and even whole districts that were getting old, outdated, and little used.

This has been done on various scales of size. From single buildings, such as empty historical buildings, through schools that ceased operation because of changing demographics, to abandoned industrial sites up to a large-scale renovation of a whole district. In this review, we will look at some case studies of various scales of size. 

Using the innovation zone toolkit, Mediterranean cities can develop a pilot action in the field of smart cities innovation and of co-creation and co-innovation based on transnational cooperation. They can create a local area designated to demonstrate and facilitate community involvement in innovation and sustainability, based on the existing potential, buildings, organizations and human capital already in place, with minimal resources required and no new construction except for the establishment of a meeting and co-work space in an existing public building.

The innovation zone offers opportunities for experiencing and developing the full urban ecosystem collaboration of the local government, SMEs, academic institutions, NGOs, schools and the local resident community. It will create an opportunity for small and creative businesses in the city to create a business network, a friendly and synergistic ecosystem that will connect businesses, and from it will emerge opportunities for co-creation for the innovative development of smart city solutions, which can also be implemented in the host local authority as a beta site.

The innovation zone will also enable networking between the businesses and the local community, building involvement, strengthening local pride and positive communication to the place and the local authority. He will be a well-publicized example that can generate international cooperation.

Examples for some of the benefits:

Developing the potential of a street segment in the city, on the existing basis and without the need for development and construction investments - to experience and develop cooperation of the local government, small and medium businesses, academic institutions, non-governmental organizations, schools and the local resident community.

Allow small and medium-sized businesses to develop solutions that are more suitable for the real needs of the cities, thereby enhancing the value contribution of the city in the smart cities market.

Enable the creation of a success story of innovation zones that will be communicated and will be a model for other cities in the Mediterranean region, leading eventually to a growing network of cities.

 

Scope – What is an Innovation Zone

An Innovation zone is an existing stretch of a major street in a city, a 1~2 KM section of the street and areas extending up to 500 meters on each side of the street. It is a community building and synergy creation initiative which brings together existing business, public organisations, academic and learning institutions and the resident community, to develop and build on the existing potential of the existing intellectual assets, community assets, urban infrastructure and environment to facilitate increased collaboration, innovation and wellbeing for all stakeholders.

Therefore, an Innovation zone is an urban development initiative based on the intersection between entrepreneurship, local government, community and environment to facilitate sustainable innovation in the public sphere. Since it is based on existing assets and infrastructure it does not require construction works or any disruption to the fabric of the urban ecosystem, only the setting up of a meeting hub and community space, preferably in an existing public building.

 

Innovation Zone vs Innovation District

While an innovation zone is centred around a single existing street section and is based on existing human capital and existing urban infrastructure, an Innovation District is a large-scale reconstruction of an entire neighbourhood or a usually run-down or derelict urban area. These districts build on and revalue the intrinsic qualities of cities: proximity, density, authenticity, and vibrant places. Given the proximity of many districts to low-income neighbourhoods, their intentional development can be a tool to help connect disadvantaged populations to employment and educational opportunities” (Brookings Institute - Innovation Districts).

Innovation districts are residential and commercial areas that offer favourable environments and amenities that attract research institutions, high-growth firms, and tech and creative start-ups. Innovation districts facilitate the creation and commercialization of new ideas and support metropolitan economies by growing jobs in ways that leverage their distinct economic attributes. 

Innovation districts can completely transform urban areas, bringing remarkable business, learning, social and environmental benefits for the city and drawing in both local and international talent, as well as major organisations and enterprises. 

They may be based on a renovation and rejuvenation effort of a declining district which has lost its appeal, or on ambitious construction projects in already thriving areas and they can also be based on existing infrastructure and buildings. There are opportunities in many locations waiting to be rediscovered, either with a major redesign or a subtle rejuvenation of existing assets. 

 

The 22@Barcelona Innovation District

In Barcelona, the 22@Barcelona Innovation District has started as a governmental initiative to transform an old industrial district into an innovation zone. By developing a synergy of an attractive living environment with an advanced work environment, the 22@Barcelona district has become a center for SME companies surrounded by museums, galleries, bars and restaurants. The district has an area of 4,000,000 sqm of offices, commerce and research, 220,000 sqm of green spaces, residential and social housing buildings.

The district drives technological and economic innovation by bringing together innovative companies, universities, learning centers and research centers. It attracts local and international talent. By 2020, the district had more than 93,000 people in 9,000 companies and 25,000 students at the local universities. 16% of the residents are from other countries around the globe.

The 22@Barcelona district. Source: More than Green

 

An innovation zone has similar objectives yet at a much modest and smaller scale, in an existing street space.

Both Innovation districts and Innovation zones build on and revalue the intrinsic qualities of cities: proximity, density, authenticity, and vibrant places. Their secret of success is in community building and in creating new opportunities and collaborations, engaging multiple and diverse stakeholders - local residents, students, entrepreneurs and artists, business, culture, science, learning, social and health establishments and organisations. 

They also need to create convenient, pleasant and green places for meetings and a healthy, comfortable environment that will attract both local and international talent to commit to long-term sustainable engagement. 

 

Amsterdam’s Knowledge Mile

The Knowledge Mile in Amsterdam is a remarkable example of a collaborative local area project, a business and innovation district that runs through 2 streets in central Amsterdam (Wibautstraat and Weesperstraat). 

This area in the heart of the city was facing challenges such as heavy traffic, air pollution, and flooding. Since its inception in late 2017, a diverse community is working to solve these issues by sharing knowledge, driving innovation, establishing connections, and creating partnerships. It has a community of 30.000 residents, 60.000 students, 735 organisations, municipal institutions and3 universities located in the vicinity - the Amsterdam University of Applied Sciences, the University of Amsterdam, and Amsterdam University of Arts. 

The business, social, and knowledge institutions located at the Knowledge Mile have united in a business investment zone (BIZ) that is becoming increasingly intertwined with the development of the area between Amstelplein and City Hall, working to sustain a green, safe and networked business area. This is a great example of experiencing and developing the full urban ecosystem through a collaboration of the local government, SMEs, academic institutions, NGOs, schools, students, and the local resident community.

In 2019, the municipality of Amsterdam started the Knowledge Mile Park project to work together with the community and other partners on greening public space and building facades. Solar panels and water storage facilities were also installed to better manage abundant renewable natural resources.

The design of the district was also based on local stakeholders’ engagement. The design team has conducted over 150 interviews with local stakeholders and more than 50 meetings with residents in the area. Beyond business development, the project was designed to create a vibrant innovative community, nurturing leisure and social activities and drawing in talents.

Multiple projects at the Amsterdam Knowledge Mile

(Source: https://knowledgemile.amsterdam/s/projects)