Areas of innovation in cities: The evolution of 22@Barcelona

Areas of innovation (AOIs) are on the agenda of urban planners in the revitalisation of inner cities. The knowledge-based economy provides the opportunity to base these revitalisation efforts in creating AOIs as an evolution of the old industrial districts. Grounded in key conceptual frameworks in this research field – triple helix model, knowledge-based urban development paradigm, clusters of innovation framework, co-evolutionary theory, learning region theory and lifecycle of a new venture – as a reference, this work contributes to the existing literature by proposing a comprehensive model for the evolution of AOIs from inception to maturity. Using a case research study approach, the 22@Barcelona case, an AOI that transformed an old industrial district into a knowledge-based one, allows to analyse its evolution and to elaborate a model. Academic value stems from a new theorising effort of the evolution of AOIs. Urban planners benefit by getting additional clues in the revitalisation of cities.