Spatial qualities of innovation districts : how Third Places are changing the innovation ecosystem of Kendall Square

[摘要] This thesis analyzes the spatial dimensions of an urban high-tech cluster in the changing socio-economic landscape of American cities. Using Kendall Square as the primary case study, I analyzed the spatial qualities and characteristics that define an urban high-tech cluster and provide recommendations for how future ;;innovation districts;; should be developed. My in depth study of the built form of Kendall Square reveals that workplaces for the high-tech industry have extended beyond the conventional office setting to include both retail and public spaces: such as cafes, restaurants; and streets, sidewalks, plazas, and open spaces. I label these emerging workplaces as ;;Third Places;; and further emphasize that Third Places are critical catalyst to the success of innovation districts. Through my findings, I argue that urban high-tech clusters will develop from old urban areas, rather than from newly-born districts, and that such clusters will be concentrated within a walking distance of one or two transit stops, not extending beyond what could be described as a ;;district.;; Furthermore, my findings indicate that successful innovation districts are likely to develop spontaneously by incremental private real estate developments, rather than from the urban renewal era;;s approach of masterplanning. Comparison of the existing development projects in Kendall Square also revealed that an ideal form of innovation district is a mixed-use neighborhood that could accommodate living, working, and playing activities of everyday life. As a result of my investigation, I provide some policy and design recommendations on how to establish innovation districts. For physical spaces, I offer basic principles of designing urban spaces in a way that could stimulate social interaction, chance encounters and interfirm collaboration, which will contribute to the innovation ecosystem of a place.

[发布机构] Massachusetts Institute of Technology