Meet the HLM Team at UKREiiF 21-23 May and discuss the opportunities that Innovation Districts can offer to developing our towns and cities.
Our ambition is to help share knowledge and raise awareness of the possibilities that Innovation Districts can bring to regional economic success.
As we start to make sense of the fourth industrial revolution, it is clear that new ways of working and new types of partnerships require different infrastructure that will enable cities and regions to remain competitive in a global economy.
The term ‘Innovation District’ is used to describe a wide variety of types of development. What unites all of them is an element of collaboration between public and private sector bodies, often with a higher education institute as an ‘anchor tenant’. What interests us, is the potential of innovation districts to be a new model for how we organise our communities. Not just places of work, but rich and appealing neighbourhoods where people live and relax too. The economic, social and ecological benefits of this model are huge and we are keen to explore how towns and cities can benefit from this approach.
The innovation economy provides a pathway to unlocking game-changing, transformational economic potential. A mix of economic, networking and physical assets combine to produce an ‘innovation ecosystem’ where collaboration and interaction produce new ideas leading to economic growth. HLM’s placemaking approach is central to creating a hotbed for these activities:
1 Clustering – Bringing together symbiotic businesses,
institutions and start ups.
2 Third Spaces – Communal facilities for meeting
and chance encounters. Space for the four C’s. These
might be cafes, super lobbies, event spaces, public
squares, parkland, a bench!
3 A Walkable Back Bone – with a ‘string of pearls’ – a
series of small public spaces. Creating links between
people and businesses.
4 The Power of Nature – creating links to green space.
Good for health and wellbeing, great for ideas.
5 Welcoming in the surrounding neighbourhoods –
improving economic inclusion. Open boundaries for
access to jobs, training, schools outreach programmes
and services.
6 A Curated Calendar – Events throughout the
year. STEAM festivals, talks, street markets, coding
contests, parties..
To find out more, come and join Delia Harmston and Duncan Thomas as they host a round table event at UKREiiF discussing:
How South Yorkshire’s Innovation District is Regenerating Communities
10.45 – 11.45, Thursday 23rd May
Newsroom Stage, Royal Armouries
Delia, who will be chairing the session will be joined by Kate Josephs, Dr Chris Low, Emma Frost, and Tom Bousfield who will bring forward their own experiences of South Yorkshire’s innovation ecosystem, the positive impact it is having on local communities and how it’s value should be measured.
View the full programme of events and download a site map to the event here.
Meet the HLM Team at UKREiiF 2024
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