Title: Areas of innovation in cities: the evolution of 22@Barcelona

Authors: Josep Miquel Pique; Francesc Miralles; Jasmina Berbegal-Mirabent

Addresses: Innova Institute, La Salle – Ramon Llull University, Sant Joan de La Salle, 42, 08022, Barcelona, Spain ' Innova Institute, La Salle – Ramon Llull University, Sant Joan de La Salle, 42, 08022, Barcelona, Spain ' Universitat Internacional de Catalunya, Immaculada, 22 – 08017, Barcelona, Spain

Abstract: Areas of innovation (AOIs) are on the agenda of urban planners in the revitalisation of inner cities. The knowledge-based economy provides the opportunity to base these revitalisation efforts in creating AOIs as an evolution of the old industrial districts. Grounded in key conceptual frameworks in this research field - triple helix model, knowledge-based urban development paradigm, clusters of innovation framework, co-evolutionary theory, learning region theory and lifecycle of a new venture - as a reference, this work contributes to the existing literature by proposing a comprehensive model for the evolution of AOIs from inception to maturity. Using a case research study approach, the 22@Barcelona case, an AOI that transformed an old industrial district into a knowledge-based one, allows to analyse its evolution and to elaborate a model. Academic value stems from a new theorising effort of the evolution of AOIs. Urban planners benefit by getting additional clues in the revitalisation of cities.

Keywords: areas of innovation; science parks; triple helix; knowledge-based urban development; clusters of innovation; innovation districts; knowledge cities; lifecycle; co-evolution; 22@Barcelona; ecosystems of innovation.

DOI: 10.1504/IJKBD.2019.098227

International Journal of Knowledge-Based Development, 2019 Vol.10 No.1, pp.3 - 25

Received: 07 Aug 2017
Accepted: 26 Feb 2018
Published online: 06 Mar 2019 *

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