Social SciencesKnowledge ManagementUrban StudiesEconomic GeographyKnowledge CreationUrban DevelopmentKnowledge ProductionKnowledge SpilloversKnowledge-based ResourcesUrban Economic DevelopmentUrban EconomyUrban SustainabilityCity-region LinkagesKnowledge-based Urban DevelopmentUrban Innovation Systems
This report documents a research project that aimed to investigate whether ‘knowledge cities’ have distinct qualities, what factors create a knowledge city, and what contribution ‘knowledge’ makes to economic success and quality of life in a city. An ‘ideopolis’ is defined as ‘a sustainable knowledge city that drives economic success in the wider city-region’. It is characterised by the following: high levels of economic success; high levels of knowledge intensity based on The Work Foundation’s definition of knowledge intensity; a diverse industry base including distinctive specialist niches; a university that has a mutually beneficial relationship with the city, leading to industries built upon research strengths, transfer of knowledge to businesses and the retention of graduates; strong communications infrastructure and good transport links within the city and to other cities, including air, rail and road; distinctive long-term ‘knowledge city’ offer to investors and individuals alike, created by public and private sector leaders; strategies to ensure that deprived communities also benefit from the economic success associated with knowledge.