Science parks take the role of regional leaders in innovation

Science parks today must look beyond their own borders and play a bigger role in the urban development. This is the opinion of Luis Sanz, Director General of the IASP, who offers his views on science parks of the future.

What is the role of the science parks in today’s working market?
'It’s becoming quite evident that the knowledge economy has created a whole new set of things: New types of companies, new markets, and also a new type of worker. More than ever before, knowledge-based companies compete and struggle fiercely to attract and retain this new species that we usually refer to as "knowledge workers", people with a high level of education, qualifications and many technical and professional skills. These people are hard to find, harder to train and even more difficult to retain.

‘I believe that one of the main advantages that science parks can provide to its associated companies is helping them find and retain such people. This is obtained by providing attractive and dynamic working environments, among other things, which are much valued by the new knowledge workers.’

In which way does Northern Europe have advantages, but also room for improvement?
'It is widely acknowledged that Northern Europe is a region with a solid business culture and very strong work ethics. That is why Northern Europe is regarded as a very reliable environment for investments and creating businesses. The high qualification of its workers and young graduates is another strong asset upon which to build many interesting things.

'STPs in Northern Europe match all of these characteristics. If there is an aspect that offers more room for improvement it would be enhancing the role of STPs not only as a place that takes care of its own set of companies, but as a city or regional leader in innovation. Parks must strive to become "gravitational" centres, via a wide range of services and activities whose impact and influence go beyond its own physical boundaries. The future of STPs can only be secured if this influence and "cultural" dimension are enhanced.'

What are the main trends in today’s STP industry?
'The main trends that I seem to detect in today’s STP industry throughout the world are internationalisation and strengthening its nature as significant nodes of international networks, proactively linking an increasing number of agents and actors of different types but all of them related to economic development via innovation and entrepreneurship.

'And all this is happening in an increasingly "urban" model of STPs: Science parks are becoming more and more linked to the city, and are increasing their urban density.'

As the Director General of IASP, what are your wishes for 2010?
'I wish to see STPs playing a significant role in recovering the economies of their respective cities and regions, and I expect to have a great conference in Korea as a prelude to another formidable event in Copenhagen in 2011.'