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Advance / How we support districts

GIID works with innovation districts on four main areas

An integrated approach to advance districts: practice-oriented research, peer-learning through the Global Network, tailored strategic support and the Global Summit. These areas, linked together to apply and reinforce new insights

Our integrated approach is how we support the advancement of innovation districts

Our world is changing at a pace never seen before. With this change come new or increasingly complex imperatives such as the need to decarbonize, to de-risk our economy due to geopolitical tensions, and to diversify our workforce to address growing social inequality.

Innovation districts—with their concentration of R&D activities, actors and alliances—are powerfully designed to take on these imperatives or ‘wicked problems’ with alacrity and focus. But this requires districts to undertake a highly orchestrated effort.

To accelerate this process, GIID has developed a three-prong approach:

What districts need to evolve

Make decisions that are more empirically-grounded. Where data and evidence are used to identify crucial gaps in their innovation ecosystem, how to improve their physical landscape to be more open and inclusive, and where they possess unique advantages to leverage.​

✅Our integrated approach: Practice-oriented research

GIID undertakes independent research to answer complex questions about districts and their evolving landscape.

What districts need to evolve

Learn from district peers and structured learning sessions. Where districts come together through GIID-facilitated sessions to share innovative practice, lessons learned, and even insightful mistakes.

✅Our integrated approach: Global Network

Sharpen and strengthen the model of innovation districts with a peer-learning and educational program. Join a collective of 46 worldwide districts where leaders come together to support one another.

What districts need to evolve

Experience and global insights on how to design and execute a comprehensive district strategy. Where the GIID team works in partnership with your districts or organization.

✅Our integrated approach: Strategic support

Work with us to develop tailored strategic support to help advance and accelerate the growth and evolution of your district—and avoid costly mistakes.

GIID’s Workstreams

Our research, global network and strategic support are integrated to advance the practice for innovation districts individually, and as a field.

The
Global Summit now serves as an impactful platform to amplify and grow these three pillars.

The impact of our work

Our aim is to drive impact in the very places on earth that will have a hand in solving our global problems. We’ve outlined some examples of how we have helped districts advance their practice and impact.

 

DistritoTec

Reduced the size of their boundary, based on the “organize for success” module. This allowed them to concentrate their focus and investment, creating a powerful effect before expanding.

Innovation Quarter

Now using the empirical data on Quality of Place and reflective work with our strategic advisors to leverage the Bailey Park node into the district’s next phase of development.

Oslo Science City

now using the detailed analyses of its R&D strengths to form specialized working groups based on the district’s distinct areas of excellence. Each group is tasked with identifying ways to enhance collaboration with industry and attract industry funding.

Tonsley Technology District

Now using the work on effective governance to secure dedicated funding for the district and its governance.

Monash Technology Precinct

Now using the detailed work on R&D strengths, including companies that draw on institutional research, to reinforce their industry and attraction strategy.

The Brain

A cross-cutting analytical tool of districts evaluating districts through over 75 indicators, including empirical research, one-on-one sessions, and tailored surveys

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