Abstract
Science and technology parks are the three-dimensional expression of the ever-growing importance of innovation, creativity and knowledge as economic resources. Science cities are the next step up: knowledge-based forms of urban settlement. Thanks to a housing project currently being developed, the Berlin-Adlershof science and technology park is undergoing a gradual transformation into a science city. Taking Berlin-Adlershof as a case study, this article examines the extent to which the triple helix approach can be usefully applied to the planning process of a housing project. The triple helix approach has hitherto been mainly used to study the organizational arrangements of industry, university and government, arrangements that are seen to foster processes of innovation. Drawing upon this tenet, the present study focuses on the socio-cultural aspects of urban development in the context of science cities, aspects which have so far received little attention in triple helix research. The aim is to use the triple helix concept to assess the innovative character of the gradual transformation of a science and technology park into a science city through residential development. Within the framework of this study, semi-structured expert interviews with representatives relevant to the Adlershof development were conducted between November 2013 and January 2014. The study showed that the triple helix approach cannot be usefully applied to the interaction of actors involved in residential development in science cities. Alternatively, we propose a model of interaction that highlights the pivotal role of the intermediary in the planning process.
Highlights
Introduction and research questionScience and technology parks are the three-dimensional expression of the evergrowing importance of innovation, creativity and knowledge as economic resources
Hypotheses The main research hypothesis for the present study, H 1, is as follows: H1: The triple helix approach can be usefully applied to the interaction of actors involved in residential development in science cities
The key assumption of the triple helix approach is that innovations occur through the interaction of actors from government, industry and university
Summary
Science and technology parks are the three-dimensional expression of the evergrowing importance of innovation, creativity and knowledge as economic resources. Science and technology parks are extremely important in the regional context, giving the surrounding area an economic boost (Handrich et al 2008: 41). In addition to the establishment of science-based institutions, the socio-cultural areas of housing and leisure are integrated into the urban development context. Their design is based on an idealized image of cities as places of innovation, with a particular focus on characteristics that stimulate the genesis of innovation, creativity and new knowledge (Heßler 2007: 147f.). According to Heßler, the "[...] complexity of the city as a social form, as a form of human coexistence [is] set aside" in science cities (ibid.: 147, translated)
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