APDR – Associação Portuguesa para o Desenvolvimento Regional

Call for Chapters (CfC), for the Edited Volume:

Innovation Districts: Navigating the Future Landscapes of Urban Development and Innovation.

Publisher: Palgrave

Editors:
Amorim Varum, Celeste, University of Aveiro, Portugal
Pereira, Dina, University of Lisbon, CEG-IST, Portugal
Ratten, Vanessa, La Trobe University | Bundoora, Victoria, Australia
Leitão, João, University of Beira Interior, NECE, Portugal

We are pleased to invite academics, researchers, and practitioners to contribute chapters to an upcoming edited volume titled: Innovation Districts: Navigating the Future Landscapes of Urban Development and Innovation.

The study of innovation districts (ID) is critical in today’s rapidly evolving economic and urban landscapes. The ID characterized by their unique mixture of research institutions, high-tech businesses, and vibrant social environments, represent a shift towards more integrated and collaborative approaches to economic development and innovation. These districts are not only engines of economic growth and job creation but also serve as hubs for technological advancement and cultural dynamism. By fostering close-knit networks of academia, industry, and government, ID can accelerate the commercialization of research, drive regional competitiveness, and address complex urban challenges such as sustainability and social equity. Understanding the development, dynamics, and impacts of ID is essential for policymakers, urban planners, and business leaders who aim to harness their potential to create resilient and inclusive economies. This comprehensive examination is particularly crucial as cities and regions worldwide strive to adapt to the demands of the knowledge economy and the Fourth Industrial Revolution.

This edited volume aims to explore the multifaceted dimensions of ID, offering a comprehensive view of both well-known and neglected aspects of this field. We seek empirical-based evidence and cutting-edge research that provide fresh insights and practical implications for the development and sustainability of ID.

Topics of Interest
We welcome submissions that cover a broad range of topics related to ID, including but not limited to:

  • Surveys of the literature
  • Systematic literature reviews
  • Scoping reviews
  • Meta-analyses
    • Theoretical Foundations and Frameworks
  • Defining ID: Concepts and characteristics
  • Historical evolution and theoretical roots
  • Conceptual frameworks for fostering ID
    • How to create innovation districts
  • Vision, strategy and action plans, case studies
  • Strategic planning and participative approaches
  • Co-creation practices
    • Social and Economic Impact and Development
  • ID and regional/local social and economic growth
  • Demographics, job creation and workforce development in ID
  • Life-work-balance and ID
  • Quality of life, ID and sustainable regional development
  • ID, Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) and public debt
    • Governance and Policy
  • Governance models
  • Policy frameworks supporting ID
  • New generation of Sustainable Smart Specialization strategies (4S)
    • Urban Planning and Design Concept
  • ID, vibrancy and functional mix
  • Integrating ID into existing urban fabric
  • ID and the proximity challenge
  • ID, science and technology parks and technological incubators
  • ID and smart cities
    • Technology and ID
  • Role of universities and research institutions in fostering ID
  • Selection and creation of clusters in the scope of ID
  • Technology transfer and commercialization processes in the scope of ID
  • Open innovation practices in the scope of ID
  • Deep tech initiatives in the scope of ID
    • Measurement and Performance of ID
  • Indicators and performance evaluation of ID
  • Successes, Failures & Barriers to development and implementation
    • Social and Cultural Dimensions
  • Inclusivity and equitable development in ID
  • Cultural and creative industries as catalysts for innovation
    • Challenges and Neglected Aspects
  • Environmental sustainability and resilience
  • ID and the organization of innovation
  • ID and the dissemination of innovation
  • ID and organization of work

 

Submission Guidelines

  • Abstract Submission: Interested contributors should submit an abstract of 300-500 words outlining their proposed chapter, including the main research question(s), methodology, and key findings or arguments.
  • Full Chapter Submission: Upon acceptance of the abstract, full chapters should be 8,000-10,000 words, including references, tables, and figures.
  • Empirical Evidence: Preference will be given to contributions that provide empirical-based evidence, whether quantitative, qualitative, or mixed-methods research.
  • Formatting: Chapters should adhere to Palgrave publisher’s formatting guidelines.

 

Important Dates

  • Abstract Submission Deadline: [March 31, 2025]
  • Notification of Acceptance: [April, 15, 2025]
  • Full Chapter Submission Deadline: [July 15, 2025]
  • Publication Date: [October, 2025]

 

Submission Process

We welcome submissions of abstracts (300-500 words + 5 keywords) proposals until next March 31, 2025, to be sent to the editors:

celeste.varum@galp.com; dina@ubi.pt; v.ratten@latrobe.edu.au; jleitao@ubi.pt