Graduation Semester and Year
2023
Language
English
Document Type
Dissertation
Degree Name
Doctor of Philosophy in Urban Planning and Public Policy
Department
Urban and Public Affairs
First Advisor
Ariadna Reyes-Sanchez
Abstract
Innovation is one of the most critical determinants of future success for cities. Urban policymakers and planners have developed a great interest in “innovation districts” as an impactful factor in enhancing cities' economic competitiveness and productivity. This planning policy has become very attractive to urban planners, urban economy specialists, and policymakers to the point that every city in the United States is trying to develop its version of an innovation district. Simultaneously, urban scholars have developed great attention to the most critical factors shaping innovation districts and affecting their prosperity. The literature identifies factors such as spatial clustering, mixed land use, regional connectivity, and agglomeration as the most evident built environment characteristics to contribute to the concept of innovation districts and their prosperity. However, there is still a need for a conceptual framework based on empirical studies to evaluate and explore the contributing factors to enhance innovation-friendliness in innovation districts and improve their economic roles. In addition, the attractiveness of innovation districts to city officials and policymakers has resulted in rushed decisions in inviting these new developments into the cities. Therefore, more attention must be paid to the inclusivity and equity issues associated with innovation districts when planned and implemented within urban areas. Furthermore, the concept of innovation districts is relatively new. Therefore, more attention and research should be needed regarding their negative externalities and planning policy solutions to remedy these negative consequences. Therefore, this study’s objective is to understand the implications of innovation districts for planning, equity, and economic prosperity through policymaking in the context of the American cities. Accordingly, to bridge the gap in the literature, this study seeks to understand 1) What are the most critical factors shaping innovation districts and affecting their prosperity? 2) How do planning and implementing innovation districts include and engage residents? 3) What are the policy solutions to the negative consequences of developing innovation districts? This study incorporates mixed methods that combine mostly qualitative and some quantitative research approaches to answer the primary research questions. Therefore, the methodology includes qualitative techniques, such as textual analysis, document retrieval, and empirical studies of cases, as well as quantitative approaches, such as spatial analysis, and socio-demographic analysis to compile data and develop the conceptual framework. The research's purpose is to develop a methodological framework through empirical analysis and qualitative methods to shed light on 1) the ambiguities about the potential and challenges for a prosperous innovation district and the generalizability of the innovation district model, 2) the social externalities associated with the development of innovation districts regarding civic inclusion and equity, and policy solutions to help reduce the negative consequences and 3) the future of innovation districts affected by remote working and placelessness. This study's methodology and findings can help policymakers who aim to foster knowledge-based policies and enhance economic growth by creating an innovation district in their cities. It also emphasizes the significance of social aspects, such as the impacts of innovation districts on residents, particularly the vulnerable populations (in terms of race, ethnicity, and income), when making decisions to add these new economic developments into urban areas. Therefore, this study's primary contribution is to help planners and policymakers develop more effective policies and initiatives and fulfill the shortcoming or enhance their cities' resources through educated decisions. The results of this study provide important related considerations for urban planning and policymaking in the future concerning innovative urban areas and knowledge-based economic developments.
Keywords
Innovation districts, Economic development, Equity implications, Policy solutions, Placelessness, Future cities' prosperity
Disciplines
Public Affairs | Public Affairs, Public Policy and Public Administration | Social and Behavioral Sciences
License
This work is licensed under a Creative Commons Attribution 4.0 International License.
Recommended Citation
Mozaffarian, Ladan, "INNOVATION DISTRICTS: CONTRIBUTING FACTORS FOR CITIES’ PROSPERITY, EQUITY IMPLICATIONS, AND PLANNING POLICY SOLUTIONS IN RESPONSE TO PLACELESSNESS" (2023). Public Affairs Dissertations. 167.
https://mavmatrix.uta.edu/publicaffairs_dissertations/167
Comments
Degree granted by The University of Texas at Arlington, **Please note that the full text is embargoed until 8/1/2025**