More often than not, innovation springs from social interaction, rather than the romantic notion of the genius in isolation. With this in mind, Jessica Stoller-Conrad and Nancy Shute discuss three important ways in which geography fuels innovation.
"Innovation is a social process, not just an individual process," says says AnnaLee Saxenian, dean of the School of Information at the University of California, Berkeley.
In contrast to the enduring notion of the lone genius toiling in isolation to produce breakthroughs in technology and science, Stoller-Conrad and Shute point out that social interaction is a necessary ingredient in speeding incremental
improvements in an idea. "People both compete and collaborate to come up
with something better," say the authors. "And old-fashioned physical proximity still seems
to help the most, even in the age of the Internet."
Stoller-Conrad and Shute go on to explain the role that urbanity, innovation infrastructure, and social connections play in determining which locations provide the right ecosystem to support innovation.
FULL STORY: 3 Clues To How Geography Fuels Innovation
Cities Chase Elusive 'Innovation Economy'
In many places, anchor institutions and local industries are old news. New companies, new ideas, and brand-new industries are creating wealth and vibrancy. Professor Enrico Moretti explains how cities can get in on the 'innovation economy.'
Nevada's Most Interesting City: Reno
Long considered a desert backwater and second fiddle to Las Vegas, the city of Reno is having a resurgence. Small entrepreneurs, industrial giants like Tesla, and artists inspired by Burning Man are converging to overshadow the fading casino economy.
Why New Sources of Capital Matter for Cites
Cities are becoming the new economic engines due to growing sectors in technology and knowledge production. Yet, cities must recognize with that transformation there comes not only opportunities but also new challenges.
Planetizen Federal Action Tracker
A weekly monitor of how Trump’s orders and actions are impacting planners and planning in America.
Chicago’s Ghost Rails
Just beneath the surface of the modern city lie the remnants of its expansive early 20th-century streetcar system.
Amtrak Cutting Jobs, Funding to High-Speed Rail
The agency plans to cut 10 percent of its workforce and has confirmed it will not fund new high-speed rail projects.
Ohio Forces Data Centers to Prepay for Power
Utilities are calling on states to hold data center operators responsible for new energy demands to prevent leaving consumers on the hook for their bills.
MARTA CEO Steps Down Amid Citizenship Concerns
MARTA’s board announced Thursday that its chief, who is from Canada, is resigning due to questions about his immigration status.
Silicon Valley ‘Bike Superhighway’ Awarded $14M State Grant
A Caltrans grant brings the 10-mile Central Bikeway project connecting Santa Clara and East San Jose closer to fruition.
Urban Design for Planners 1: Software Tools
This six-course series explores essential urban design concepts using open source software and equips planners with the tools they need to participate fully in the urban design process.
Planning for Universal Design
Learn the tools for implementing Universal Design in planning regulations.
Caltrans
City of Fort Worth
Mpact (founded as Rail~Volution)
City of Camden Redevelopment Agency
City of Astoria
City of Portland
City of Laramie