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and sustainable development of public buildings, institutions, streets, and even whole districts that were getting old, outdated, and little used.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)

 

Greening Amsterdam's Roofs - A mission to install 10,000 SqM of blue-green roofs 

source: De Amsterdamse dakenrevolutie

A large number of participants in the Knowledge Mile business investment zone have joined forces in a collective waste contract, for clean collection and sustainable processing of waste and raw materials. This reduces the amount of polluting transport movements, resulting in lower CO2 emissions and better traffic flow. The Knowledge Mile is therefore close to Zero Waste status.

 

Action Plan

This action plan is a step-by-step plan for establishing an innovation zone framework and making it ready to conduct actual activities, events, meetings and co-creation, business community and full stakeholders community activities 

1. Compile Innovation Zone Thematic Plan –The plan will encompass the required criteria for choosing the location based on the readiness and suitability of urban space, target audience, scope, outputs, potential opportunities for municipalities, , SME involvement, potential benefits for climate and innovation and estimated investment required.
2. Establish steering committee and Identify Municipal Partners – bring together a steering committee to identify partnerships, establish diverse point of view, engage existing knowledge and experience and guide together the actual activities going forward.
3. Establish criteria and choose location based on the criteria - The first step in developing an Innovation zone is choosing the most appropriate street area that already has the right infrastructure, facilities and blend of multiple and diverse stakeholders - local residents, students, innovative SMEs, businesses, artists, culture, science, learning, social and health establishments and organizations. This initial setting conditions for engagement and synergy building with as low initial ground laying work as seemingly possible.
   
   The criteria that will be established and decided after a vote of the steering committee will be the basis for evaluating proposals and choosing the most appropriate location. It is best to suggest, evaluate and compare 2-3 alternative city locations, to find the most suitable location based on the predefined criteria.
4. Establish City Partnership – In the example case study of the Herzliya innovation zone, The TAU SME4SMARTCITIES team published an open call for cities in Israel that participated in the project’s cities support group. Following replies and proposals by municipalities to participate in this endeavor, a task team was established with the chosen municipality.  A municipal manager was assigned to lead the task team. Managers in the municipality such as the CEO or Director General, Sustainability, environment, innovation and businesses engagement managers should be core members of this task team, and with support of logistics departments will lead the actual implementation. The task team will compile the partnership agreement, work plan and set up the timeline and requirements for the project. 
5. Set Up, Adapt the program to the city – this phase is the actual execution of the physical aspects of the pilot, including the following activities: 

1. coordinate initiative with relevant municipal entities – attain the required permits, align plans with urban planner, architect and landscape architect, ecological survey, etc. 
2. Establish the key stations of the Innovation Zone, which will include the meeting hub demonstration space, co-working space, appropriate signage and linkages throughout the zone.

6. Engagement – establish the multi-stakeholder engagement aspects of the project. Activities will include community mapping, SME engagement, public engagement, setting up meeting facilities in an existing public building such as a library or a community centre (NO construction, only interior design and garden landscaping), initiating meetings, events, establishing an online community and bulletin board, etc. In order to create growing collaboration between the city, SMEs, local learning organisations, and the local community.

 

Establish a Steering Committee and Identify Municipal Partners

As a first step to creating an innovation ecosystem of stakeholders in the planned innovation zone, it is advisable to create a steering committee or an advisory board with a broad view and representation and identify partnerships. It will be a budding ecosystem in itself – municipal managers such as CEO, city engineer, environment, innovation and similar relevant roles, relevant academy scholars and experts, innovation centers, businesses development unit and city managers in similar roles from other cities. based on the objectives and criteria defined in this document. The steering committee / advisory board (choose the title that best suits your project) will advise on setting objectives, defining criteria and eventually on creating and executing actual activities together.

As the Innovation zone project progresses, the steering committee / advisory board should be engaged in planning and making decisions, learning from the experience of other cities, engaging stakeholders across the municipality department and the local business and resident community, participating in major milestones and events and facilitating actual activities and initiatives as the innovation zone matures on the long run.

 

Criteria for Establishing an Innovation Zone

The first step in developing an Innovation zone is choosing the most appropriate street area that already has the right infrastructure, facilities and blend of multiple and diverse stakeholders - local residents, students, innovative SMEs, businesses, artists, culture, science, learning, social and health establishments and organisations. This initial setting conditions for engagement and synergy building with as low initial ground laying work as seemingly possible.

The criteria are based on the readiness and suitability of the urban space, target audiences, scope, outputs, potential opportunities for municipalities, involvement of small and medium-sized businesses, potential benefits for the climate and innovation, and the estimate of the required investment.

Here are some suggested criteria that can be used as a basis for planning in your own city:
 

Nr	Criteria	Weight
1. Urban landscape and Infrastructure
1.1	There is a street section of 1-2 km in length, served by crossing or parallel streets at least 500 m on each side (“Innovation zone area”)
1.2	There is an easy accessibility by public transportation – bus stops with a bus at least every 15 min. or train station no more than 300 m away (Required to ensure the area is accessible and can grow without causing traffic congestions)
1.3	An urban area that has been identified as a heat island or environmental hotspot requiring intervention to improve environmental conditions
1.4	Area contains demonstration sites for sustainability, climate adaptation and innovative technologies or practices
2. Local Community & Businesses
2.1	There are current offices of at least 10 legally constituted SME (micro, small and medium-sized enterprises), as per the definition provided by the European Union[1], in the Innovation zone area
2.2	There is availability of existing office locations for SMEs to move to the innovation zone area
2.3	There are learning institutions and academic establishments in the Innovation zone area
2.4	There are apartments and homes for a local resident community in the Innovation zone area
2.5	There are current cafes and small shops in the Innovation zone area
3. Municipal commitment and services
3.1	The municipality appoints an employee from a relevant department as a focal point and liaison to facilitate the Innovation zone project set-up and implementation
3.2	The municipality can provide space for a meeting centre in the designated street section (to serve as a meeting hub and community space)
3. 3	The space for the meeting centre has enough built area for a reception desk, a meeting rooms for at least 20 people and a co-working area for at least 10 persons
3. 4	The space for the meeting centre does not require any new building construction work, except for possible room design or division by modular walls
3.5	The municipality provides funds for long-term implementation and operations of the Innovation zone project
3.6	The municipality commits to communicate and promote the Innovation zone project and its activities
3.7	The local infrastructure allows for environmentally sustainable facilities (e.g. large windows, green building standards, waste recycling bins, use of renewable energy, trees, garden or patio area)

 

[1] COMMISSION RECOMMENDATION of 6 May 2003 concerning the definition of micro, small and medium-sized enterprises (notified under document number C (2003) 1422) [JO L 124 20.5.2003]

 

Set Up the Program for the Chosen Location

coordinate initiative with relevant municipal entities

1. Attain the required permits for use and minor redesign of rooms in a public building or community center
2. Align plans with urban planner, architect and landscape architect
3. Ecological survey
4. Coordination with all relevant departments

 

 Establish the key stations of the Innovation Zone

In the detailed planning, establish some key locations where meeting places, demonstration sites, displays and other actual components will be created, This will create a guiding route along the innovation zone street and adjunct spaces and buildings, will provide space for casual activities, such as a shaded area to have lunch outdoors or for community activities such as meetings and seminars. These should Include the meeting hub, co-working space, environmental information station (heat, humidity, air quality)  and appropriate signage.

 

The Innovation Zone Meeting Hub

Design and create the Innovation zone meeting hub – a meetings and demonstration space, co-working space, with appropriate signage and linkages throughout the zone to direct to the location of the Innovation zone meeting hub.

The meeting hub is the physical hub for meetings, events and activities, for visibility and communications visibility. It will allow to host events and to bring together SMEs, entrepreneurs, academy researchers, municipal staff, public organizations and NGOs and the general public for events, hackathons, co-creation meetings and other collaborative initiatives.

In the Herzliya Innovation zone that was established in the SME4SMARTCITIES project, the meeting hub was established at the offices of the municipal central business district authority. It will be directed and facilitated by a liaison from the municipality and a liaison from the SME4SMARTCITIES team, on the basis of the “Playground” program that was developed by the SME4SMARTCITIES project.

Activities and events can by initiated by the Innovation zone facilitators or by participating stakeholders from the business, academy, schools and civic communities.

 

Resulting Future Activities

After the innovation zone plan, components and the key stations will be established, a broad array of activities and engagements can follow. The Innovation Zone "Playground" guidebook provide a thorough approach to planning and conducting co-creation, collaboration and municipal-business community engagement.    

The following are some examples to illustrate the planning of activities after the centre is established.

1. Meetings between local entrepreneurs and SMEs whose offices are located in the innovation zone area - to introduce themselves and look for ideas for collaboration, such as combining products of several companies to offer a comprehensive solution, presenting together at exhibitions etc.
    
2. Facilitating co-creation ideation and co-business development initiatives, at the share facilities provided by the municipality. The MIT U.Lab / Theory U methodology for leading emerging future innovation can be applied to direct the co-development initiatives
    
3. Sharing resources - for example if a company is hosting guests from abroad or is planning a lecture and is looking for an appropriate large meeting room or gathering place for this purpose
    
4. Meetings with residents to present the local companies, these meetings can contribute to a sense of community pride, create new relationships, recruit employees and make use of the wisdom of the crowd for feedback or "citizen science" activities and testing of new products
    
5. Meetings to encourage local businesses’ feedback and brainstorming for the development of the area that can lead to joint initiatives such as the presentation of the work of local artists in the offices of development companies, "lecture at the bar" meetings in a local cafe and other initiatives
    
6. Creating street signage leading to sites of interest, corporate offices, local businesses and community centers in a unified design of the Innovation Zone
    
7. Encouraging a circular economy and "industrial symbiosis". Products that are considered "waste" of one company can be raw materials for other companies, local artists or creative workshops in the local community center
    
8. Lectures on technological issues for municipal representatives and lectures on procurement processes and tenders for entrepreneurial companies. One of the barriers identified in the project were knowledge gaps on these topics between the 2 groups
    
9. Meetings on "How to make our street the most innovative and "green" area in the city
    
10. Signing a charter of the plan to make our street the most innovative and "green" in the city
     
11. Workshops for school students in the area led by experts from the local innovative companies, guidance of projects in schools
     
12. Innovation Hackathon / Sustainability Hackathon
     
13. Initiating a local happening that prominently shares and communicates values of innovation, environment and quality of life and more of an atmosphere that connects business and community (example: Knowledge Trail in Amsterdam)
     
14. Initiatives with the participation of all the parties in the urban space for "zero waste" and other initiatives such as green facades, planting trees, reducing the use of plastic, reducing waste, encourage walkability, with the participation of all the parties in the place - companies, businesses, students, artists.
     
15. An exhibition of the past, present and future of the street segment, as an example of the innovation mile exhibition initiative in Amsterdam

 

The Herzliya Innovation Zone

The Herzliya Innovation zone is an actual implementation by the SME4SMARTCITIES project of the tools and guidelines in this toolbox. It was established in collaboration with Herzliya municipality and the Hi-Tech district council. It is a designated city street area, functioning as an Innovation hub – with demonstration sites, meeting spaces, collaborative activities and signage.

 

Herzliya - The Innovation Zone The Herzliya Innovation Zone (IZ) was set up as a living lab project of the SME4SMARTCITIES Toolbox to establish the Innovation Zone branding, framework and infrastructure. Learn More

 

 

 

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