Innovation management in sustainable urban development projects

Important results from the project

** Denna text är maskinöversatt ** The project aims to support the ability of responsible project managers to lead innovation processes and to develop innovation strategies for new districts with high-level objectives. A further aim of the initiative is to establish a forum for the exchange of experience and knowledge between the participants with a long-term duration after the initiative has ended and to promote the emergence of a new role in urban development contexts - the role as innovation leader.

Expected long term effects

Fifteen projectleaders from ten municipalities participated in the project. Nine draft innovation strategies with different approaches and level of readyness has been produced. A few strategies define innovation leadership and the role of innovation leader. The Project has been a learning process for all involved partners and will hopefully lead to follow-up initiatives in the the interface between urban development and innovation leadership. Participants are keen on keeping the network alive and to enroll in follow-up initiatives.

Approach and implementation

A total of eight meetings were organised to lay a common ground, with lectures on innovation leadership and challenges in systematic innovation work in municipal organisations, and to provide space for knowledge exchange. In between meetings participants undertook activities to lay the ground for innovationsstrategies for their urban development projects. Experts on innovation have conducted meetings and supported participants´ independent work. External lecturers have brought additional expert knowledge to meetings.