Science and technology parks as evolving policy instruments: challenges when embracing the innovation district model

This paper contributes to the emerging research on innovation districts (IDs) by examining, from the perspective of incumbent science and technology parks (STPs), the challenges they confront when embracing this new model. Urban IDs may allow STPs to move to cities’ downtowns and increase their scope of business spaces, but they present new challenges. Specifically, the paper identifies and addresses three key issues: the potential conflict of interests between the objectives of the former STP and those of the new ID, the shift in the greenfield model of the STP to adopt the ID brownfield model, and the governance challenges arising from the entry and appearance of new stakeholders. The paper builds on the case study of the Basque Country STPs and their involvement in launching an ID in the city of Bilbao, framed within the longer trajectory of Basque STPs as evolving policy instruments for the innovation policies of the regional government. The case offers lessons for STPs’ managers and policy makers interested in promoting IDs.