Conclusion to The Governance of Innovation Spaces

David A. Wolfe

Chapter 9 in The Governance of Innovation Spaces, 2026, pp 217-224 from Edward Elgar Publishing

Abstract: The concluding chapter synthesizes the core argument that the capacity of cities and regions to respond to the deep transition depends on the effectiveness of governance arrangements in supporting collaborative innovation policy. It reaffirms that innovation and economic development are inherently spatial phenomena, and that the shift to a knowledge-based economy accentuates rather than diminishes the significance of place. It draws together the key analytical threads – regional innovation systems, industrial clusters, global production and innovation networks, path development, and the role of research universities – arguing that economic development policy must be embedded in the territorial contexts in which it is implemented. The chapter underlines that civic capital and collaborative governance are critical factors in enabling cities and regions to translate policy intentions into action, through social learning processes that foster reflexivity across multiple scales. Civic entrepreneurs and place leaders – individuals and organizations who build new institutions, forge collaborative coalitions, and articulate shared visions for the future direction of regional economies – are essential agents in this process. The chapter situates recent political challenges – the Trump Administration's retreat from place-based development policy and evolving EU debates over the future of Cohesion Policy – within this analytical framework, maintaining that the case for collaborative, place-based approaches retains its relevance despite the turbulent political context. It underscores the value of comparative learning between Europe and North America as both jurisdictions continue to grapple with the governance challenges of the deep transition.

Keywords: Civic Capital; Learning Regions; Collaborative Innovation Policy; Place-based Development; Deep Transition; Regional Governance (search for similar items in EconPapers)
Date: 2026
ISBN: 9781035320783
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