Innovation & 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. After making 2009, the European Year of Innovation of Creativity, the Commission argues that "growth based on knowledge and innovation" should be one of the three main priorities for the strategy for "Europe 2020" To back this up, the EU Commissioners for innovation and industry has produced a "flagship" initiative "the innovation union". 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. REDIS, led by Magdeberg, is exploring how cities can integrate 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. Many other networks 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. You can read more about each of these projects by clicking on the links in the text above and reading the articles and papers below. To understand more about the aims and methods being used by the URBACT projects working on innovation and creativity read the synthesis of their baselines studies.