ABSTRACT
Establishing innovation districts is a highly popular urban policy due to the economic, social, and spatial benefits they offer to the host city. Investing in innovation districts is a risky business as there is no one-size-fit-all innovation district type. Besides, there only exists limited understanding on the varying features, functions, and spatial and contextual characteristics of this new land-use type. This study aims to contribute to the efforts in classifying innovation districts holistically through a multidimensional framework. The study builds on a conceptual framework developed by the authors and expands it into an operational framework that consists of numerous attributes—i.e., dimensions (context, form, feature, function), indicators, and measures. The framework and its attributes are subjected to validation by a panel of key experts through an international Delphi survey. This chapter reports the process of framework development and validation. The resulting multidimensional innovation classification framework is the first of its kind. It is useful in determining the key characteristics of existing innovation districts, helps in understanding what works in certain locations and what does not, and informs decisions of policymakers in investing in the type of innovation district suitable for the local context.
