Imagine a place where going to work means biking freely without the fear of cars to a coffee shop, where one collaborates with other people from nearby start-ups, research labs or universities. Sounds like a Portlandia episode? Truth is, a report released by the Brookings Institution’s Metropolitan Policy Program earlier this week states that such work environments are starting to emerge organically throughout the world – they’re called Innovation Districts.
These districts are defined as “geographic areas where anchor institutions and companies cluster and connect with small firms, startups, business incubators and accelerators.” Additionally, innovation districts are “physically compact, transit accessible, technically wired and offer a mix of housing, office and retail.”
Having a compact district where firms are near other firms, research labs and universities allows for “open innovation,” which is the sharing of ideas from “legal advice to sophisticated lab equipments.”
This environment, emerging particularly in the U.S. post Great Recession, is a far departure from the landscape of innovation that has dominated the past 50 years – suburban corridors of isolated corporate campuses, accessible mainly by car with little to no attention to integrating work, housing and recreation.
Here are six cities in the U.S. from East Coast to West Coast with areas that fit Brookings’ definition of Innovation District (and to learn more about each, take a look at Brookings' visually compelling report here):
1. Boston: Innovation District
2. Philadelphia: University City
3. Raleigh–Durham: Research Triangle Park
4. Detroit: Downtown, Midtown
5. St. Louis: Cortex
6. Seattle: South Lake Union
Related Stories
| Aug 3, 2012
Nonres construction spending to increase through 2012, growth projected for 2013
Commercial and industrial projects poised to lead building sectors.
| Jul 31, 2012
Thornton Tomasetti announces four promotions in Chicago office
Promotions in Thornton Tomasetti office key on industy veterans.
| Jul 25, 2012
EwingCole adds healthcare director to D.C. office
Schultz brings over 25 years of proven experience in planning and designing healthcare, medical research, and government medical facilities.
| Jul 25, 2012
Contract awarded for Gaillard Municipal Auditorium renovations in Charleston, S.C.
Seeking LEED Silver certification, the project will begin in August and is slated for completion in December 2014.
| Jul 24, 2012
Boyer joins Thornton Tomasetti as vice president in New York office
Boyer will support Thornton Tomasetti’s Building Performance and Property Loss Consulting practices in the East U.S. region as well as nationally.
| Jul 24, 2012
Dragon Valley Retail at epicenter of Yongsan International Business District
Masterplanned by architect Daniel Libeskind, the Yongsan IBD encompasses ten city blocks and includes a collection of high-rise residences and commercial buildings.
| Jul 23, 2012
Venturi Scott Brown and Associates Becomes VSBA, LLC
After over fifty years as one of the world’s most renowned architects, Bob Venturi has retired from practice, while Denise Scott Brown continues to publish and present her work.
| Jul 23, 2012
Giants 300 Firm Index 2012
An alphabetical index of the Giants 300 AEC firms and their ranking in specific categories.
| Jul 23, 2012
Haynes Whaley announces leadership transition
Pronier has worked in the construction industry for the past 30 years.
| Jul 23, 2012
Missner Group completes construction of Chicago auto dealership
The Missner Group also incorporated numerous sustainable improvements to the property including the implementation of a vegetative roof, and the utilization of permeable pavers for the parking lot.
