Table of contents

List of Tables

List of Figures

Foreword to the Series by David A. Wolfe (University of Toronto, Royal Bank Chair in Public and Economic Policy and Director of the Program on Globalization and Regional Innovation Systems)

Acknowledgements

 Part I: Dynamics of Innovation in City-Regions: Diversity, Specialization and Variety

Chapter 1 – Introduction to Innovating in Urban Economies: Economic Transformation in Canadian City-Regions – David A. Wolfe

Chapter 2 – Systems of Innovation and Contexts of Creativity: An Assessment of the Knowledge Bases of Canadian City-Regions – Gregory Spencer (University of Toronto, Manager of Local IDEAs)

 Part II: Diversity, Variety and the Cognitive-Cultural Economy in Large Cities

Chapter 3 – Innovation and Toronto’s Cognitive-Cultural Economy – Charles H. Davis (Ryerson University, Radio and Television Arts) and Nicholas Mills (Ryerson University, Communication and Culture)

Chapter 4 – Living on the Edge: Knowledge Interdependencies of Human Capital Intensive Clusters in Vancouver – Brian Wixted (Simon Fraser University, Research Fellow) and Adam Holbrook

Chapter 5 – Innovation and Social Actors in Montreal: Inter-Sectoral Changes of Place-Based Dynamics – Diane-Gabrielle Tremblay (Télé-université of University of Québec, Labour Economics and Human Resources Management) and Juan-Luis Klein (Université du Québec à Montréal, Geography)

Chapter 6 – Firms and their Problems: Systemic Innovation and Related Diversity in Calgary – Cooper Langford (University of Calgary, Communications and Culture), Ben Li (University of Calgary, InnolLab) and Cami Ryan (University of Saskatchewan, Professional Research Associate)

 Part III: The Specialized Characteristics of Innovation in Medium-Sized Cities

Chapter 7 – Innovation in an Ordinary City: Knowledge Flows in London, Ontario – Neil Bradford (Huron University College, University of Western Ontario, Political Science) and Jen Nelles (Hunter College, Urban Affairs and Planning)

Chapter 8 – Biotech in Lunch Buckets: The Curious Knowledge Networks in Steeltown – Peter Warrian

Chapter 9 – Innovation Linkages in New and Old Economy Sectors in Cambridge-Guelph-Kitchener-Waterloo (Ontario) – Andrew Munro (University of Toronto) and Harald Bathelt (University of Toronto, Political Science)

Chapter 10 – Knowledge Flows in the Consulting, Advertising/Design, and Music Sectors of Halifax – Jill L. Grant (Dalhousie University, Planning)

 Part IV: Innovation for Survival or Growth in Canada’s Small Cities

Chapter 11 – Social Dynamics, Diversity and Physical Infrastructure in Creative, Innovative Communities: The Saskatoon Case – Peter Phillips (University of Saskatchewan, Public Policy) and Graeme Webb (Simon Fraser University)

Chapter 12 – How ICTs and F2F Mediate Knowledge Flows in and Within Moncton – Yves Bourgeois (University of New Brunswick, St. John, Director of Urban and Community Studies Institute)

Chapter 13 – Networking Patterns and Performance on Trois-Rivières City-Region’s Firms in the Light of Sectoral and Place Characteristics – Michel Trepanier (Institut National de la Recherche Scientifique), Pierre-Marc Gosselin (Université d’Ottawa, Sociology and Anthropology) and Rosemarie Dallaire (Adviser for Innovation and SMEs with Innovation et Développement économique Trois-Rivières)

 Part V: The Global Challenge for Innovation in Canadian City-Regions

Chapter 14 – Related Variety, Knowledge Platforms and the Challenge for Cities and Regions in the Global Economy – Phil Cooke (University of Wales, Cardiff, Research Professor)

Contributors

Description

In a globalizing, knowledge-based economy, innovation and creative capacity lead to economic prosperity. Starting in 2006, the Innovation Systems Research Network began a six year-long study on how city-regions in Canada were surviving and thriving in a globalized world. That study resulted in the “Innovation, Creativity, and Governance in Canadian City-Regions” series, which examines the impact of innovation, talent, and institutions on sixteen city-regions across Canada. This volume explores how the social dynamics that influence innovation and knowledge flows in Canadian city-regions contribute to transformation and long-term growth.

With case studies examining cities of all sizes, from Toronto to Moncton, Innovating in Urban Economies analyzes the impact of size, location, and the regional economy on innovation and knowledge in Canada’s cities.

Reviews

‘The volume’s empirical richness alone makes it worth recommending and the book will prove a valuable resource for those looking to study, understand, and theorize the future of innovation and resiliency in urbanized knowledge economies.’

- Jean-Paul D. Addie

‘David Wolfe delivers a masterful collection of essays that investigate various components of urban innovation and economics… This volume could very well offer findings to aid academics and policy makers to better understand economic structures and outcomes.’

- David Karas

‘Innovating is a great group of case studies written by some great Canadian experts. Anyone interested in innovation should keep it handy.’

- Bradley Keelor