Innovation and the city

• Published in: Innovation (North Sydney) Vol. 10; no. 2-3; pp. 156 - 169
• Main Authors: Athey, Glenn, Nathan, Max, Webber, Chris, Mahroum, Sami
• Format: Journal Article
• Language: English
• Published: Maleny Routledge 01-10-2008; Taylor & Francis Ltd
• Subjects: Agglomeration; automotive; Biotechnology; Business studies; Case studies; Cities; Cities and towns; Economic aspects; Effect of technological innovations on; Employment; fashion; Growth; ICT; Innovation; Innovations; Labor market; Life sciences; Management science; Manufacturing; Policy making; Product development; Research, Industrial; Social policy; Studies; Technological innovations; United Kingdom; Urban areas; Urban development; Urban economics; Great Britain; United Kingdom > UK; Germany
• ISSN: 1447-9338; 2204-0226
• DOI: 10.5172/impp.453.10.2-3.156

Innovation is an increasingly globalised phenomenon but the highest rates of visible innovation are found in and around cities. This paper explores the 'urban factors' that support innovative activity, focusing on English cities. Agglomeration economies can help explain both cities' resilience and the characteristics of urban markets, assets, networks and institutions that help innovation to take place. A high-level explanatory framework is set out, using the concepts of 'urban hubs' and 'local links' to draw together these ideas. The framework is then explored using five case studies from the UK and abroad. The findings suggest a number of different 'innovation trajectories' for different city types. Innovation policymakers should pay more attention to improving urban infrastructure, skills and critical mass, and should devolve strategy-making towards pan-regional and sub-regional actors.