Innovation and Creativity
The economic crisis has made at least one thing clear. This is that over-dependence on large traditional industries, and low productivity, low wage sectors is an immense risk in a globalised economy.
In the past, economic sectors have come and gone, bringing first prosperity then wreaking havoc on cities and their inhabitants. It is in this context, the European Commission recognises that stimulating the innovative and creative capacity of all its citizens is ultimately the bedrock for a more sustainable future. The fact that 2009 has been named the European Year of Innovation Creativity has been given a new urgency by the recent economic turmoil.
The strength of URBACT networks working in this field lies precisely in the fact that they are at the forefront of practical experiments to see how cities can turn these fine words into reality in quite different context. For example, two URBACT networks are exploring how cities can make full use of the knowledge economy. But they are approaching this from quite different view points which could provide lessons for many other European cities.
REDIS, led by Magdeberg, is exploring how cities can intetgrate science and technology into the heart of their urban fabric rather than creating “gated” out-of-centre science parks. RuNup, led by Gateshead, is examining how small and medium sized cities – often without a strong university - can enter what has traditionally been seen to the exclusive preserve of the champions league of large metropolis.
Similarly, the Fast Track network UNIC, led by Limoges, is investigating how a previous dependence on a traditional sector like ceramics, rather than being a burden, can be turned into a lever for opening up new “paths of innovation”. Creative Clusters, led by Obidos, is testing how quite small cities with a rural hinterland, can generate a dynamic creative environment and creative industries. Finally, FIN-URB-ACT, led by Aachen is developing new ways of supporting innovative firms.
Many other networks dealt with by this pole also have important things to say in this area. For example, Urban N.O.S.E on how to create jobs which deal with social needs via the social economy, WEED on how women can play a vital role in the knowledge economy, OPEN Cities on how to make the most of the skills and talent that can be brought by migration, URBAMECO on how to mobilise the hidden potential in “problem” neighbourhoods.
You can read more about each of these projects by clicking on the links in the text above, reading the articles on the activities of Creative Clusters and UNIC.
To understand more about the aims, methods, events and outputs being planned by these or by reading the the synthesis of their baselines studies.