Impact of Science Parks on Urban Development - Master Thesis
Science Parks are being developed in many European cities as combined agglomerations of scientific facilities, universities, business incubators and established companies, which expect a
comparative and innovative advantage and an improvement of the city’s creativity as a result of such a cluster.
The study analyzes and compares two existing parks in Berlin, Germany with two Andalusian parks in Malaga and Seville and discovers that the spatial impact of development depends on the general
trends of urban development. In addition there are several potential developments depending on the location of the park within the city.
The study distinguishes three different potential impacts:
Type Magnet
In growing cities a strong influence on the direction
of development can help authorities to determine
the success of their planning.
Type Organ
In declining cities you could expect an important
boost to economic activity in the city center along
with the re-use of former industrial sites.
Type Articulation
The parks can influence strategic connections
between cities and major areas or facilities,
related to them. (airports, logistic centers, dormitory towns...).
The essence of the study is that it is absolutely necessary to understand,
that the development of a technology park presents a big opportunity for urban
development far beyond the economic possibilities and should be
used to help
solving existing problems in urban planning.
