Innovation districts around the world have become a focal point for cities looking to gain an economic advantage.
The success of leading research centers, such as Stanford Research Park in California and Research Triangle Park in North Carolina, has inspired many communities to establish their own innovation hubs.
This approach aimed to benefit from both fields by co-locating technology and creative ventures with academic research centers. Over time, this idea evolved into a strategic combination of higher education, economic development, and spatial design.
"Innovation districts are a regional sandbox where everyone can contribute. Academia, industry, and the community can come together," says Mark Romney, former chief industry alliances officer for Aggie Square, a 24-acre innovation space located on the University of California, Davis campus in Sacramento.
