Global innovation districts partner up in a new alliance

The International Association of Science Parks and Areas of Innovation (IASP) announced a new partnership between innovation clusters worldwide, IASP writes in a press release.

The new Innovation Districts Alliance has as founding members PI Buenos Aires (Argentina), Melbourne Innovation Districts (Australia), Porto Digital (Brazil), TusCity (Nanjing), CHJ Innovation Center (Shanghai) (China), Berlin Adlershof (Germany), MIND – Milano Innovation District (Italy), Glasgow City Innovation District and White City Innovation District (UK) and 22@Barcelona (Spain) acting as coordinator.  Membership is open with other innovation districts worldwide warmly invited to join.

In IASP’s view, innovation districts are a key tool to build environmentally, economically, and socially sustainable cities. They can be a mechanism for urban, economic, and social transformation.

Breeding ground for innovation in the old port area of Rotterdam

Being an important link in the chain of innovation and sustainability. This is what Platform Zero wants to become in Rotterdam (NL).

Mobility of talent and technology

Coordinated by former IASP President Josep Piqué, the goal of the new alliance is to promote the mobility of talent, technology, and capital. Sharing knowledge and best practices between innovation districts enhances their complementarity too. It will also consider the creation of performance indicators and an assessment framework.

IASP CEO Ebba Lund said: “Since we first opened our membership to innovation districts and other areas of innovation a few years ago, IASP has been proud to represent a growing number of these urban projects. They make a vital key contribution to sparking innovation and driving development in their cities. This group will help them learn from each other, share best practices, and showcase some of the vital work they are doing in their local communities.” 

Josep Piqué added: “The districts will also benefit from interaction with other types of innovation spaces, such as science & technology parks, areas of innovation, innovation hubs, and more. Being part of the IASP global network gives our alliance the great advantage of a large, powerful platform that has been smoothly operating for years so that we can use many of its contacts, meetings, and services from day one.”