Spontaneously-developed inner city technology precincts: Case of Izmir

Abstract

At the end of 1990s, knowledge became the fourth factor of production beside: land, labor and capital. Knowledge sector as education, R&D, mass media, information technologies, and information services had a rapid entrance to our lives. Changing urban and economic trends effected evolution process of technological-development areas. Today, knowledge-intensive business and service sectors are accepted as the key players in knowledge-based development of cities. Suburban technologicaldevelopment areas have slipped to dynamic and vibrant urban centers where the business and service sector actually performs, and historical, cultural or creative character ascends. New urban technology precincts aim to sustain the process of knowledge production, transfer and dissemination by gathering different networks in strategic levels. Some urban technology precincts have emerged spontaneously in certain parts of cities named as spontaneously-developed urban technology precincts. Those areas act as a living organism because of their self study formation. Therefore, it is difficult to understand their general spatial and organizational characteristics The aim of the research is to clarify how spontaneously-developed technology precincts can be characterized. In this context, Çankaya-İzmir/Turkey was selected as case area. The area, was assessed within a system of indicators as governance, connectivity, clustering environment, talent and social environment, built environment, cultural and natural environment. As a result, case area in Çankaya . İzmir / Turkey can be accepted as an emerging inner city technology precinct waiting for local authorities to develop. It can be managed as a powerful source of local economic development and supply cultural and social prestige of İzmir.