The Governance of Innovation Spaces
How Civic Capital and Collaborative Governance Shape Urban and Regional Development
David A. Wolfe(Author)
Edward Elgar Publishing
Will be published approx. on 28. September 2026
Book
Hardback
320 pages
978-1-0353-2078-3 (ISBN)
Description
The Governance of Innovation Spaces explores why some cities and regions thrive while others get left behind in today's changing global economy. In the face of rapid digital transformation and climate change, David A. Wolfe argues that the capacity of cities and regions to manage this transition depends on the strength of their governance institutions and the ability to craft collaborative policy approaches.
Chapters systematically compare and contrast regional economic development schemes across Europe and North America, focusing on 'civic capital': the networks, collaborative organizations and entrepreneurial leaders that help regions identify their unique strengths and chart new economic paths. The book emphasises how effective local governance, strong universities and place-based development policies enable cities and regions to adapt to disruption and build innovative economies. Wolfe highlights the importance of local collaboration and institution-building for inclusive economic development that can benefit all cities and regions.
Scholars and students of economic geography, regional development and innovation studies will benefit from this book's in-depth and expansive approach. It is also a crucial resource for academics and practitioners of governance theories and industrial policy.
Chapters systematically compare and contrast regional economic development schemes across Europe and North America, focusing on 'civic capital': the networks, collaborative organizations and entrepreneurial leaders that help regions identify their unique strengths and chart new economic paths. The book emphasises how effective local governance, strong universities and place-based development policies enable cities and regions to adapt to disruption and build innovative economies. Wolfe highlights the importance of local collaboration and institution-building for inclusive economic development that can benefit all cities and regions.
Scholars and students of economic geography, regional development and innovation studies will benefit from this book's in-depth and expansive approach. It is also a crucial resource for academics and practitioners of governance theories and industrial policy.
Reviews / Votes
'At a time when deep transitions are disrupting the global economy, David Wolfe provides a rich and insightful analysis of how a new style of policy development built on civic capital and collaborative governance must shape effective local responses.' -- James Wilson, Orkestra - Basque Institute of Competitiveness, Spain 'The Governance of Innovation Spaces recentres the role of collaborative capacity and civic leadership in the story of why some places outperform and others underachieve through cycles of economic and industrial change. It is essential reading for everyone concerned with understanding and cultivating the ingredients for places to adapt and thrive.' -- Tim Moonen, The Business of Cities, UK 'Wolfe offers a theoretically rich yet accessible account of why some regions navigate economic transitions better than others. He makes a persuasive case for civic capital and collaborative governance as the missing ingredients in place-based policy, at a moment when these questions could not be more urgent.' -- Elvira Uyarra, University of Manchester, UKMore details
Series
Language
English
Place of publication
Cheltenham
United Kingdom
Target group
Professional and scholarly
Dimensions
Height: 234 mm
Width: 156 mm
ISBN-13
978-1-0353-2078-3 (9781035320783)
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Schweitzer Classification
Person
David A. Wolfe, Professor Emeritus of Political Science and Co-Director of the Innovation Policy Lab, Munk School of Global Affairs and Public Policy, University of Toronto, Canada