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Governments

Around the world, governments play an important role in advancing innovation districts, drawing important connections between people, places, and ideas

The role of government

The role that governments play in advancing innovation districts is both diverse and significant:

Government leaders can serve as conveners, providing a platform for the development of a collective vision on the 21st-century imperative: collaborate to compete.

 

Drawing on their skills as leaders, government heads can be champions by offering a vision for growing a successful innovation economy.

 

Given on their regulatory powers, government leaders can be catalysts by devising new tools or streamlining old rules to incentivize district growth.

 

National or Federal governments

Known to introduce the concept of innovation districts to political and economic leaders. Some have played both a champion and convening role, by financing research and planning efforts to help leverage cities with strong universities and medical institutions. In a few cases, national governments passed resolutions to partially finance new projects and programs.

State governments

They have also introduced and championed the economic model for their respective states. In some cases, they developed competitions to spur cities and their institutions to devise a district that builds on their assets. In other cases, they have directly financed catalytic infrastructure, financing for early stage companies, and critical planning activities. Lastly, they have devised supportive policies to advance innovative sectors and place-based development.

City governments or municipalities

Have been known to support new and existing district efforts. Their support includes important changes in zoning, financing new infrastructure, enabling smart tax incentives, and, in some rare cases, city governments have given unique powers to district organizations to develop master plans and issue tax abatements.

Related resources

Positioning innovation districts as a road to recovery – Five insights for national and state governments

article – May 26, 2020

Outlines how innovation districts can drive recovery through strategic investments, governance, and inclusive growth initiatives.
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Credit Ryan Collerd, Courtesy of University City District

New insights on how innovation districts are challenging economic and social divides

article – July 19, 2019

Innovation districts worldwide are increasingly focusing on inclusive growth and collaboration, aiming to bridge economic and social divides by combining research, public engagement, and place-led strategies to benefit broader communities.
Learn more

Who shapes districts

 

 

R&D intensive actors

Universities & medical institutions, R&D magnets and companies.

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Ecosystem builders

A diversity of intermediaries, accelerators and incubators, and new kinds of anchors.

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Investors

Governments, real estate developers, philanthropies and capital investors.

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Mission-driven organizations

A set of organizations advancing districts social, economic and physical transformation.

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