Innovation and the city

This report examines how innovation has developed in five city-regions.

This report examines how innovation has developed in five city-regions.

Key findings:

  • ‘Urban factors’ that explain why innovation is concentrated in and around cities include: assets such as labour pools and transport infrastructure, and public institutions – such as universities – that support innovation.
  • Firms are at the heart of urban innovation, and cities support firms.
  • Markets drive and sustain commercially successful innovation.
  • This report provides policy recommendations based on the above insights.

Creating the right conditions for people, firms and organisations to innovate within a city requires a tailored approach that takes into account the city's existing markets, skills, institutions and networks.

 

Large cities will almost inevitably innovate but can't afford to rest on their laurels, as smaller cities have the capacity to provide strong competition.

 

Developing policies that support and encourage innovation in cities is a vital part of transforming the UK's capacity for innovation.

 

Authors:

Glenn Athey, Catherine Glossop, Ben Harrison, Max Nathan and Chris Webber