Miquel Barceló, member of the Advisory Board of 22 @ Network, May 2022

The 22@Network BCN friends invite me to take a brief look at what I consider to be the key factors for an Innovation District. For more information you can go to: https://www.amazon.es/INNOCITIES-Urbanismo-econom%C3%ADa-tecnolog%C3%ADacambio/dp/8409258692

An Innovation District is an attractive urban space for international talent, real estate investment and the location of high-knowledge companies.The three key factors that an Innovation District should meet are:

First, an urbanism based on a mixture of uses and a high density, in a design of the public space that facilitates the meeting and the exchange between people. An energetically sustainable space, where it is possible to live and work with various forms of residential space, with infrastructures of all kinds of the highest level. A smoke-free internal mobility system connected externally to the whole city, preferably by public transport.

Second, the District as an innovative ecosystem that allows a high complexity of uses and activities of economic and social relations, where the activities generating and disseminating knowledge and innovation play a key role. Spaces for companies, coworking, coliving, accelerators. A strong knowledge base made up of Universities, R&D Centers, Technology Centers, Training Centers, all of them aligned with the productive specializations of the Districtas urban clusters.

Third, a system of Governance that allows participation at all levels and a proactive, effective, professional and stable management over time. A management capable of speeding up the processing of investment processes, as well as attracting its own and international talent. With a comprehensive Marketing and Communication plan at all levels'.

And finally, like the three musketeers, D’Artagnan. The most important. Social Integration with the surrounding neighborhoods and the city as a whole, not only to prevent social gentrification but to act proactively in connection with all citizens (Citilab) and the education system at all levels.

The current 22 @ District would need a new impulse given these 3 + 1 factors