This International Conference, open to all researchers and practitioners, will serve as the closure of the research national Spanish project Innova. This coordinated project combines different disciplinary and territorial sensitivities addressing the complex problem of the socio-economic model for the Spain in the aftermath of the economic crisis, through the perspective of innovation, creativity and culture.

December 10-11, 2015. Barcelona

Venue: Faculty of Economics. University of Barcelona

Argument

Track 1. Creativity and culture in urban regeneration.

In recent years, a significant number of studies have analysed the creative policies from several points of view. However, these studies have typically focused more on quantitative data regarding the effects that these policies might have on economic, social and labour market rather than a comprehensive study of the impact generated on the territory.

The reality, however, is that these processes have generated significant changes in Western cities both in places where they have been implemented (gentrification, renovation, creation of new tourist attractions, etc.) and in the overall city (capture or removal of businesses, residents and social activities, etc.). We suggest reflecting on these issues, considering a broader creative policies perspective and their impact in terms of urban transformation.

Track 2. Spaces, participation and big data: new approaches to innovation in today's cities.

New generations -specifically the millennials- and new actors are starring process of urban transformation all around the world. This track, organized in collaboration with Urbego (International Young Planning Professionals Platform), will put together researchers and practitioners to discuss new trends on urban innovation focusing, mainly, in three interrelated topics: spaces (research and practices on bottom-up projects, placemaking, do-it-yourself urbanism and third places), participation (projects and papers that provide insights about community engagement, economic, social and institutional participation, and youth engagement) and big data (projects and papers that assess critically the concept of smart city or propose solutions to use big data at human scale for social and urban innovation).

Track 3. Policies for new forms of production: can the makers save the city?

This track seeks to analyse how cities are developing policies to foster new forms of production and innovation through the creation of equipment and facilities such as Fab Labs, Co-Working spaces and the development of policy initiatives oriented towards 'makers' such as workshops, festivals, markets and other activities for promotion. The objective is to analyse the framework in which these policies are taking place and to understand to what extent they are generating new forms of production and innovation in the city.

Track 4. The Role of Culture in the Smart Specialization Strategies: an overview from the MED area

In a global economy, it makes sense to speak about a Mediterranean Way to Innovation. Which ones are the relevant specificities of the Euro Mediterranean region in terms of cultural and creative values and resources? How can these specificities support local and regional development processes through smart specialization strategies? Which are the main strengths, weaknesses, opportunities and threats that we can identify?

Submission guidelines

This International Conference, open to all researchers and practitioners, will serve as the closure of the research national Spanish project Innova. This coordinated project combines different disciplinary and territorial sensitivities addressing the complex problem of the socio-economic model for the Spain in the aftermath of the economic crisis, through the perspective of innovation, creativity and culture.

Researchers and practitioners interested in submitting a contribution are requested to submit an abstract of maximum 1000 words to the conference committee before November 10, 2015. The conference committee will then select papers that are considered on topic, relevant and demonstrate an acceptable academic level. The conference is free of charge.

For submissions and all other inquiries and correspondences, please contact Ramon Marrades at ramon.marrades@uv.es. Please state in the mail subject: “Innova congress submission” and your preferred track.

Scientific Committee

• Montserrat Pareja Eastaway - Universitat de Barcelona
• Ramon Marrades – Universitat de València
• Raul Abeledo – Universitat de València
• Joaquín Turmo – Universitat de Barcelona
• Teresa Sanchez Martinez – Universidad de Granada
• Lídia Garcia Ferrando – Universitat de Barcelona
• Montse Simó Solsona – Universitat de Barcelona
• Daniel Paül i Agusti – Universitat de Lleida
• Pilar Riera  - Universitat Autònoma de Barcelona
• Joan Ganau Casas – Universitat de Lleida