ABSTRACT
This introduction presents an overview of the key concepts discussed in the subsequent chapters of this book. The book demonstrates knowledge and knowledge goods, including the capacity for knowledge innovation, make different kinds of contributions to regional growth. It provides a relational model of cities as tiers and a framework for understanding regional and urban development and decline. The book provides a case study of three regional Queensland “Casual Creative Environments”, otherwise known as fab(rication) labs or living labs. It proposes that, given assumptions regarding how economic innovation is driven by urban agglomeration and associated factors, such as the presence of skilled human capital, Fab Labs may be able to play a similar or comparable role in smaller regional centres. The book suggests that regional Fab Labs are based on welcoming informal learning environments as a mode of fostering innovation and concludes with policy recommendations for supporting regional Casual Creative Environments.
