The urban dimension as an asset for local

The urban dimension as an asset for local innovation policies Dr. Raymond Saller: raymond. saller@muenchen. de

The role of cities as engines of growth • Cities drive the economic development, support the creation of jobs, innovation and employment. • Additionally they are also key locations for removing obstacles to growth and jobs – notably social exclusion and environmental degradation. • And they are also places where specialised services are provided – such as higher education institutions, hospitals and major cultural attractions.

. . . but cities perform different

Some are out-performer and others are lacking behind

Elements of a competitive city The structural changes from the coal mining era towards the knowledge-based economy offer Europe’s cities new growth perspectives. • Education, Vocational Training, Knowledge • Quality of Life: Environmental, Cultural and Social Aspects • Entrepreneurship and Innovation Promotion • Infrastructure

Concentration of knowledge in European cities

Growth and Innovation

How can cities gain profits out of European projects? • Local policies matter! • Cities need partners, regional dissemination as key! • Intra-regional networks and European networks for sharing experiences! • Learning from each other instead of copying of successful methods! • Three types of learning: best practices / joint pilot initiatives / further development

Lessons for a fruitful adaptation of European policies at local levels (I) The gained results must be • translated into national languages • disseminated to the stakeholders of the region • adapted to the local / regional context • integrated into local policies / strategies

Lessons for a fruitful adaptation of European policies at local levels (II) • The relevant stakeholders should be involved from the beginning • Integrated approaches are high on the agenda: Economic, employment, social and environmental policies are mutually reinforcing!

Examples from Munich • INTERACT • COMPETE • GENDERALP! • EQUALMUNICH And local financed cooperation agreements like • Munich / Stockholm exchange of experiences (2002 -2007) • Innovation Alliance Conference 2008