Categorization Framework for Systems Innovation in Eco Cities

Abstract

Abstract With an increasing concern regarding climate change and the increasingly higher rate of urbanization worldwide, cities are expected to play a more important role in the future global energy system. Therefore, sustainable urban development projects, so-called EcoCities projects, are carried out globally. EcoCities are normally focusing on minimizing energy use and greenhouse gas emissions as well as to serve as platforms for innovation fostering. One good example is Royal Seaport in Stockholm, Sweden in which an Innovation Arena has been established by the utilization of the Triple Helix innovation model where academia, industry and the city are cooperating. Due to the fact that EcoCity projects often are focusing on Innovation creation, this study defines a multi-level perspective framework for systems innovation in such projects. Based on previous studies on systems innovation from a multi-level perspective, the framework explains the occurrence of EcoCity projects as a reaction to the change in climate and urbanization as well as how EcoCities are acting as innovation platforms by simplifying the integration of emerging technologies in the city system. This paper also presents a hypothesis that EcoCity projects enable a shortened time for vision and ideas to transform into inventions and furthermore into innovations by reaching acceptance.