Ruta N, an island of innovation in Medellín’s downtown

Lehyton Arenas, Miguel Atienza () and José Francisco Vergara Perucich

Local Economy, 2020, vol. 35, issue 5, 419-439

Abstract: This article discusses the contribution of innovation centres in nearby neighbourhoods based on primary data. This paper involves the study of the case of Ruta N in Medellín to expose the relationship between a consolidated neighbourhood and new innovation facilities. Ruta N was founded after the implementation of a city-level policy for innovation intended to secure the economic growth of a former deprived area of the city. This innovation attracted local and international creative entrepreneurs to Medellín’s downtown but with inconsistent results. The analysis revealed that Ruta N rarely interacts with the nearby neighbourhood, thus restricting its potential to contribute to the community. Instead, it is perceived that Ruta N takes advantage of the neighbourhood to meet the needs of Ruta N users, not the other way around. As a result, community members argue that Ruta N could promote potential conflicts in the area.

Keywords: grounded theory; Innovation District; Medellín; urban development; urban regeneration (search for similar items in EconPapers)
Date: 2020
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Persistent link: https://EconPapers.repec.org/RePEc:sae:loceco:v:35:y:2020:i:5:p:419-439

DOI: 10.1177/0269094220961054

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