A typology of 'innovation districts': what it means for regional resilience

Abstract

In this article, we engage the question of regional resilience theoretically and empirically. Our theoretical approach merges discussions of regional development in evolutionary economic geography (primarily UK based) with regional resilience in urban planning (primarily US based) using Markusen's industrial districts as a framework for analysis (1996). We use data on ‘triadic’ patents (USA, Japan and Europe) to measure regional innovation, both per capita by region and categorized by firm size for regions in the USA. We then use this data to create a ‘typology of innovation districts’. Our analysis suggests that policies encouraging small-firm innovation have broad benefits for regional economies.