Rise of the Innovation Districts

Boston innovation district banner with lofts

Status Report: the Rise of Innovation Districts

Last year, the "innovation district" rose to prominence as a way to describe urban knowledge economy epicenters. This report from Bruce Katz and Brookings describes how the phenomenon continues to evolve.

July 12, 2015 - Brookings

Checking-in with the Proliferation of Innovation Districts

A look at where innovation districts have caught on, and where to expect more of this type of concerted cooperation between public and private entities and commercial and residential land uses.

August 5, 2014 - Brookings Institution

Is the Innovation Economy a Cover for Gentrification?

According to Kyle Chayka's critique of "The Rise of Innovation Districts" report by the Brookings Institutions, "all is not right in this innovation ideology."

June 19, 2014 - Pacific Standard

'Innovation Hubs' Called a Manufacturing Silver Bullet

A recent Wall Street Journal editorial calls for "Topic-specific, industry-led, and place-based…public-private hubs" as the key to a manufacturing renaissance. The idea is already being tested in four cities.

June 9, 2014 - The Wall Street Journal

FREE Course: Walkable City 1: Why Walkability?

After describing his path towards focusing on walkability as the essence of good planning, Jeff Speck marches through his five principal reasons for making more walkable places.

Reinventing Malls: Planning Alchemy—Turning Gray Fields Into Gold

The course focuses on the opportunities and imperatives that shape reinvention of mall sites.

Top Books

An annual review of books related to planning.

Top Schools

The definitive ranking of graduate planning programs.

100 Most Influential Urbanists

The who's who of urbanism, according to Planetizen readers.

Urban Planning Creators You Should Know

A short list of voices on social, video, and podcasting platforms.