Innovation Districts: New Jersey Has the Right Ingredients

June 5th, 2014 by Peter Kasabach

Rendering of the Innovation District along the South Boston waterfront. Source: Seaport District

“Innovation districts” are economic development tools that utilize partnerships with higher education institutions, businesses, and government to fuel job growth and redevelopment in targeted locations. Innovation districts are based on the premise that collaboration and productivity result from proximity, and therefore job creation and innovation can be fostered through the intentional clustering of businesses, institutions, ideas and people. Innovation districts have been adopted by a variety of host cities in order to revitalize their communities and diversify their economies.

Innovation districts offer valuable models for New Jersey, as the state seeks to attract economic growth. Learn more about innovation districts by reading this August 2012 New Jersey Future report or by registering for the Brookings Institution’s live webcast (agenda below) of their release of “The Rise of Innovation Districts,” a new report analyzing the trend in innovation districts.

WEBCAST Monday, June 9, 9:30 to 11:30 a.m.

AGENDA

Opening Remarks
Benjamin R. Jacobs
Senior Advisor and Co-Founder
The JBG Companies

Presentation
Bruce Katz
Vice President and Co-Director, Metropolitan Policy Program
The Brookings Institution
The Adeline M. and Alfred I. Johnson Chair in Urban and Metropolitan Policy

Panel Discussion
Moderator: Lydia DePillis
Reporter
The Washington Post
Kofi Bonner
Regional Vice President
Lennar Communities
Nicole Fichera
General Manager
Boston District Hall
John A. Fry
President
Drexel University
Julie Wagner
Nonresident Senior Fellow
The Brookings Institution