Innovation Strategies and Cities. Insights from the Boston Area

Innovation is gaining increasing attention in the contemporary European policy making and research arena. RIS3 (Research and Innovation Strategies for Smart Specialisations) translate into a policy the concept of entrepreneurial discovery, incorporating the process of co-creation across multiple stakeholders within the development and implementation of regional strategies for growth. The paper aims to provide planners and policy makers with a fresh view on the current innovation strategies at the forefront of the European debate, in particular by focussing on how RIS3 could be successfully implemented in cities. At this goal, the authors draw insights from paradigmatic international best practices, such as the innovative clusters in the Boston area, by assuming that a close similarity exists between innovative clusters and Smart Specialisation.