In our last blog, we explored talent and community building, the foundation for innovation and growth. This blog looks into KSF 5: Real Estate, Infrastructure and Place Making.
The Role of Real Estate, Infrastructure and Place Making
The development of high-quality infrastructure and building a vibrant, liveable community is an essential block to create an innovation ecosystem. This includes a balance of suitable commercial spaces for priority sectors, residential options, open public spaces, and placemaking features that make the area attractive for working, living, and leisure.
Successful ecosystems require infrastructure aligned to the specific demands of their focus industries. For example, life sciences might need specialised research labs, while tech ecosystems benefit from coworking spaces, incubators, and innovation hubs. These physical spaces serve as anchors for collaboration, offering environments where businesses, universities, and start-ups naturally interact and share ideas. Virtual infrastructure is equally essential in today’s world, with robust digital connectivity supporting hybrid and remote work models.
Attracting and retaining talent hinges on creating spaces where people want to live and thrive. Beyond workplaces, vibrant public amenities such as parks, cafes, and recreational facilities enhance the appeal of a region.
Housing is another critical component. Sufficient, affordable options ensure inclusivity and prevent displacement of existing residents. Ecosystem growth must balance expansion with maintaining affordability and equity, creating an environment that benefits everyone.
Efficient transportation and transit systems are vital for ecosystem success. Within the ecosystem, walkable layouts and easy access to public transit promote interactions and collaboration. Broader regional connectivity can also ensure businesses and talent can seamlessly link with other innovation hubs.
As ecosystems grow, sustainability must remain a priority. Infrastructure planning should integrate environmentally friendly practices to reduce emissions, congestion, and waste. Investments in clean transportation and renewable energy infrastructure further support long-term growth.
Overall, creating a place where people want to work, live, and play is essential for an innovation ecosystem, as it fosters collaboration, attracts and retains talent, and builds the foundation for long-term growth.
Case Studies
Boston-Cambridge Innovation Ecosystem: Seaport District
The Seaport Innovation District in Boston exemplifies how high-quality real estate, thoughtfully designed infrastructure, and walkable environments can attract investment and fuel innovation. By integrating commercial, residential, and public spaces, the district has become a magnet for talent, startups, scaleups, corporates, and investors.
A clear, actionable strategy was central to the transformation. The Seaport Square Master Plan provided a comprehensive framework to reinvent the former industrial waterfront. A key priority was connecting the Seaport with Downtown Boston and surrounding neighbourhoods by extending street and building patterns, improving accessibility and cohesion across the city. The plan also emphasised creating a strong sense of place, with vibrant public spaces ranging from large plazas to intimate courtyards designed to encourage interaction and foster a sense of community.
To attract talent and businesses, the district focused on lifestyle amenities such as breweries, cafés, and pop-up venues, making the area lively and engaging beyond traditional work hours. A deliberate effort to reduce car dependency included minimising above-ground parking by using shared underground basements, freeing up space for pedestrians and enhancing walkability. Zoning was carefully layered to blend residential, commercial, retail, and community uses, ensuring a dynamic, mixed-use environment that remained active throughout the day.
The Seaport District stands as an example of how visionary urban design can breathe new life into forgotten spaces, inspiring cities worldwide to rethink what their industrial areas can become.
Business Accelerator Analysis: York
Whitecap Consulting, commissioned by the University of York and City of York Council, conducted a feasibility report to explore how a dedicated business accelerator could enhance York’s innovation ecosystem. A central focus was on assessing York’s current real estate, infrastructure, and placemaking assets and gaps to identify how a new Accelerator could transform the city’s innovation landscape.
The report highlighted York’s strengths, including a high quality of life and strong cultural appeal, which make it an attractive place to live and work. York also benefits from excellent rail connectivity, linking it efficiently to London, Leeds, Manchester, and the wider Northern Powerhouse, providing access to a broad talent pool and other innovation hubs.
However, the study also identified significant weaknesses. York’s existing innovation spaces are outdated, siloed, and more akin to traditional office setups that don’t meet the needs of modern, collaborative startups. There is a lack of dynamic, flexible workspaces where entrepreneurs, corporates, and universities can come together, and few visible, dedicated hubs for innovation events or networking. Additionally, high housing costs risk pushing graduates and young professionals out of the city, undermining long-term talent retention and ecosystem growth.
The feasibility report proposes the York Accelerator as a solution to these challenges. By establishing a central, flexible innovation hub offering shared workspaces, community-building spaces, and modern amenities, the Accelerator would provide the collaborative environment that York currently lacks. It would serve as a focal point for startups, investors, and educators, catalysing a vibrant innovation community while aligning with York’s unique heritage and urban character.
Key Takeaways
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Place and infrastructure are strategic assets, not backdrops: Successful innovation ecosystems depend on more than just businesses and talent – they need high-quality commercial, residential, and public spaces designed for collaboration and connection. Tailoring infrastructure to sector needs (e.g. labs for life sciences, coworking hubs for tech) provides the physical anchors where innovation can thrive.
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Vibrant, liveable communities attract and retain talent: Talent is more likely to stay and grow in regions that offer more than jobs. Affordable housing, accessible transit, and attractive amenities such as parks, cafés, and cultural venues all play a central role in making a place desirable. Creating environments where people want to live, work, and play builds the foundation for sustainable ecosystem growth.
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Sustainability and connectivity underpin long-term success: Ecosystems must be designed with sustainability and accessibility in mind. Clean transport, renewable energy, and walkable urban layouts reduce environmental impact while enabling collaboration. Strong local and regional connectivity ensures ecosystems link seamlessly with other hubs, extending reach and competitiveness
Next in the Series: Diversity, Equality and Inclusion
Our next blog will examine how prioritising diversity, equity, and inclusion strengthens innovation ecosystems by opening opportunities to a broader talent pool, fostering fresh perspectives, and ensuring growth benefits everyone in the community.
- Blog 1: An Introduction to Innovation Ecosystems
- Blog 2: Aspiration and Bold Vision
- Blog 3: Clusters and Partner Strategy
- Blog 4: Capital and Funding
- Blog 5: Talent and Community Building
- Blog 6: Real Estate, Infrastructure and Place Making
- Blog 7: Diversity, Equality and Inclusion
At Whitecap, we support organisations in building and enhancing innovation ecosystems. In addition to working directly with clients, we conduct research and analysis to inform strategic decision-making and thought leadership. If you need support with a project or are looking to develop an innovation ecosystem, get in touch.