Spatial dimensions of ecosystem agreements
I was asked whether Finnish Innocities have innovation districts. Since I hadn’t used the concept, I had to do some homework. I made a list of innovation districts, industrial parks, and other areas that provide a platform for innovation activities in Innocities.
The list below concerns innovation districts and spatial foundations for innovative activities. If there is one aspect of innovation in which cities definitely play a role, it is the spatial dimension of innovation!
IDs are portrayed as compact areas in urban environments that combine research and versatile businesses with housing, services and leisure. They are ‘geographic areas where leading-edge anchor institutions and companies cluster and connect with start-ups, business incubators and accelerators. They are also physically compact, transit-accessible and technically-wired and offer mixed-use housing, office and retail [… . IDs] are the manifestation of megatrends altering the location preferences of people and firms and, in the process, re-conceiving the very link between economy shaping, placemaking and social networking’.
(Katz, B., and J. Wagner. 2014).
Here’s my quick draft of Innocities and the spatial dimensions of ecosystem agreements. Happy to hear your comments!
Espoo. Kera has the potential to become an innovation district but is not one yet https://www.espoo.fi/en/developing-kera
Helsinki. There has been a project about innovation districts. Quite a broad definition, but one can identify several. https://fiksukaupunki.fi/en/frontpage/
Joensuu.
Jyväskylä. Hippos, in planning stage https://elinkeinopalvelut.jyvaskyla.fi/en/verkostot/kaupunkikehitysalustat/hippos
Kajaani. Renforsin Ranta business park. I wouldn’t call it an innovation district. https://www.renforsinranta.fi/en/
Kokkola. Kokkola Industrial Park, an industry area. https://www.kip.fi/en/frontpage.html
Kuopio Savilahti has the potential to become one, area is under construction https://savilahti.com/
Lahti.
Lappeenranta. Mioni Industrial Park, an industry area https://www.mioni.fi/en/
Mikkeli. EcoSairila, an industrial area https://ecosairila.fi/en/ecosairila-en/
Oulu. Smart Campus Oulu and Wellbeing Campus in Kontinkangas. I wouldn’t necessarily call either an innovation district (e.g. no housing).
Pori. Kupariteollisuuspuisto, industrial park https://www.kupariteollisuuspuisto.fi/en/
Rovaniemi
Seinäjoki
Tampere Hiedanranta, in construction. https://hiedanranta.fi/en/
Turku. Turku Science Park area. https://www.turuntiedepuisto.fi/en https://www.tandfonline.com/doi/full/10.1080/09654313.2023.2216727
Vaasa. The port of Vaasa, is not an ID but a port with a climate neutrality goal https://www.vasek.fi/regional-development/sustainable-and-smart-port-of-the-future/ . GigaVaasa, factory area. https://www.vaasa.fi/en/vaasa-region-for-businesses/invest-in-vaasa/gigavaasa/
Vantaa. Aviapolis https://www.vantaa.fi/en/regions-and-districts/aviapolis-major-region
