The objectives of this paper are to examine place-based innovation ecosystems in different cases of Boston and Milan, to observe the role of innovation districts in each city context and spontaneous spatial nature of innovation beyond planning and policies. The study revealed two opposing practices that follow different paths to success, which are also interpreted individually across the Atlantic. These two geographic areas display a contrasting pattern in the creation of ecosystems centered on macro and micro-location, where drivers, city relationships, final results, and beneficiaries differ. Besides, while a combination of different contextual factors and policies jointly contribute to the growth of this complex environment in building conditions, research has shown the existence of unrecognized dynamics of natural innovation that arise without particular coordination in the city and emerge through spontaneous agglomerations of innovation. Boston's goal is to become a "host city," which means reproducing the Boston Innovation District model in the rest of the city. This progressive approach promises to reinforce the role of Boston at the global level, but at the same time creates multiple tensions and unintended outcomes at the city and regional level. On the other hand, place-based innovation ecosystems are not yet spatially developed in Milan but scattered as interconnected networks not obvious at first glance. Today, Milan faces the challenge of building an Innovation District that is provoking tensions with existing diffuse networks of innovation but offering new global possibilities at the same time. Whilst well-developed place-based innovation ecosystems are excellent instruments for contemporary cities, contextual driver assessment, and in-depth analysis is an important step in critically assessing the city's potential and deciding which path to pursue. In this transition, innovation districts can play the role of main positive enablers, but they can, on the other hand, contribute to multiple unintended consequences. Therefore, there may not be an ultimate way to effectively construct place-based innovation systems, but maybe the only way to do it right is to bear in mind and carefully consider all the various embedded elements that together establish each city's complex nature and unique identity.
Gli obiettivi di questo documento sono esaminare gli ecosistemi dell'innovazione basati sul luogo in diversi casi in Boston e a Milano, osservare il ruolo dei distretti dell'innovazione in ogni contesto cittadino e la natura spaziale spontanea dell'innovazione al di là della pianificazione e delle politiche. Lo studio ha rivelato due pratiche opposte che seguono percorsi diversi verso il successo, che sono anche interpretati individualmente attraverso l'Atlantico. Queste due zone geografiche mostrano uno schema contrastante nella creazione di ecosistemi incentrati su macro e micro-localizzazione, dove i fattori trainanti, le relazioni con le città, i risultati finali e i beneficiari differiscono. Inoltre, mentre una combinazione di diversi fattori contestuali e politiche contribuiscono congiuntamente alla crescita di questo ambiente complesso in condizioni edilizie, la ricerca ha dimostrato l'esistenza di dinamiche non riconosciute di innovazione naturale che sorgono senza un particolare coordinamento nella città ed emergono attraverso agglomerati spontanei di innovazione . L'obiettivo di Boston è di diventare una "città ospitante", il che significa riprodurre il modello del Boston Innovation District nel resto della città. Questo approccio progressivo promette di rafforzare il ruolo di Boston a livello globale, ma allo stesso tempo crea molteplici tensioni e risultati imprevisti a livello cittadino e regionale. D'altra parte, gli ecosistemi dell'innovazione basata sul luogo non sono ancora sviluppati spazialmente a Milano ma sparsi come reti interconnesse non ovvie a prima vista. Oggi Milano affronta la sfida di costruire un distretto dell'Innovazione che sta provocando tensioni con le reti diffuse di innovazione esistenti ma che offre allo stesso tempo nuove possibilità globali. Sebbene ecosistemi di innovazione basati sul luogo ben sviluppati siano strumenti eccellenti per le città contemporanee, la valutazione contestuale dei driver e l'analisi approfondita sono un passo importante per valutare criticamente il potenziale della città e decidere quale percorso seguire. In questa transizione, i distretti dell'innovazione possono svolgere il ruolo di principali abilitatori positivi, ma possono, d'altro canto, contribuire a molteplici conseguenze indesiderate. Pertanto, potrebbe non esserci un modo definitivo per costruire efficacemente sistemi di innovazione basati sul luogo, ma forse l'unico modo per farlo nel modo giusto è tenere a mente e considerare attentamente tutti i vari elementi incorporati che insieme stabiliscono la natura complessa di ciascuna città e l'identità unica
Innovations beyond innovation districts. Analysis of place based innovation systems in Boston and Milan
Shaishmelashvili, Mariami
2019/2020
Abstract
The objectives of this paper are to examine place-based innovation ecosystems in different cases of Boston and Milan, to observe the role of innovation districts in each city context and spontaneous spatial nature of innovation beyond planning and policies. The study revealed two opposing practices that follow different paths to success, which are also interpreted individually across the Atlantic. These two geographic areas display a contrasting pattern in the creation of ecosystems centered on macro and micro-location, where drivers, city relationships, final results, and beneficiaries differ. Besides, while a combination of different contextual factors and policies jointly contribute to the growth of this complex environment in building conditions, research has shown the existence of unrecognized dynamics of natural innovation that arise without particular coordination in the city and emerge through spontaneous agglomerations of innovation. Boston's goal is to become a "host city," which means reproducing the Boston Innovation District model in the rest of the city. This progressive approach promises to reinforce the role of Boston at the global level, but at the same time creates multiple tensions and unintended outcomes at the city and regional level. On the other hand, place-based innovation ecosystems are not yet spatially developed in Milan but scattered as interconnected networks not obvious at first glance. Today, Milan faces the challenge of building an Innovation District that is provoking tensions with existing diffuse networks of innovation but offering new global possibilities at the same time. Whilst well-developed place-based innovation ecosystems are excellent instruments for contemporary cities, contextual driver assessment, and in-depth analysis is an important step in critically assessing the city's potential and deciding which path to pursue. In this transition, innovation districts can play the role of main positive enablers, but they can, on the other hand, contribute to multiple unintended consequences. Therefore, there may not be an ultimate way to effectively construct place-based innovation systems, but maybe the only way to do it right is to bear in mind and carefully consider all the various embedded elements that together establish each city's complex nature and unique identity.| File | Dimensione | Formato | |
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Descrizione: INNOVATION BEYOND INNOVATION DISTRICTS _ Analysis of Place-Based Innovation Ecosystems in Boston and Milan
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https://hdl.handle.net/10589/170310