Improving inclusive innovation outcomes: Lessons from post-industrial and post-conflict cities - Michael R. Glass

This book describes the Improving Inclusive Innovation Outcomes (i3o) research programme (2022–25). This work recognises that place-based economic growth in the 21st century is called to deliver more equitable and sustainable outcomes that address social challenges.

The i3o programme focuses on inclusive innovation in urban innovation districts: geographical concentrations of assets and amenities designed to deliver economic growth for their host cities. i3o engaged with four cities in post-industrial (Newcastle, Pittsburgh) and post-conflict (Medellín, Belfast) cities. Each city’s innovation district express commitments to inclusive growth and is shifting towards a new model – what the authors define here as Innovation Districts 2.0. This emerging model repositions innovation policy around purposeful leadership, community engagement and place-based strategic alignment. The authors argue that these cities reflect steps toward a new best-practice model that other existing and potential innovation districts can learn from and integrate in their own cities. An Innovation District 2.0 will be characterised by purposeful inclusive innovation: leadership and management; by proactive community engagement and placemaking; and by strategic alignment and territorial equity awareness of their contributions to relevant city growth strategies. All three characteristics of the framework will deliver inclusion-rich local strengths that enable Innovation Districts 2.0 to look beyond copying orthodox global best practice to be the best innovation district they can be for their city-region.

This work will be accessible and actionable for all members of urban innovation ecosystems, whether from the community, government, academia or industry. It sets out what the authors intend to be a broader research agenda to assist innovation districts deliver broader social outcomes. Innovation has always been in the forefront of delivering change; this book seeks to ensure that all places have the methods and tools available to deliver that change inclusively and successfully.