City VS Innovation

Abstract

The complex and polyvalent nature of cities has always represented a highly stimulating environment for innovation. Considered as unique nodes of human communication, exchange and practice, cities have directly or indirectly instigated, supported, influenced and transmitted new ideas and processes, shaping the present and directing our future on various levels and scales. Perceived as a process or its result, the notion of innovation could easily be recognized in different areas of urban existence which describe contemporary city as a postmodern, hybrid, intransitive and creative place, with preferred buzz environment and noticeable virtual and cyborg elements1. Additionally, the increasing challenges caused by the global competition, social inequality and climate changes have imposed a new set of demands and development imperatives. Some of them have already been included in the recent flows of architectural and planning practice, but the ultimate aim represents a continuous upgrading of urban potentials through the innovation of environment and the environment of innovation......