Across Europe, growing numbers of cities are actively promoting science and innovation activities to drive their economic growth and improve the quality of life of their inhabitants. At an event in Brussels on 25 June, three of these 'science cities' (Birmingham, UK; Lyon, France; and Jena, Germany) explained what the science city concept means to them, and the challenges and opportunities they face.

With a population of 2.3 million, Birmingham is the second largest city in the UK. It has a long history of innovation; many of the pioneers of the industrial revolution were based in the city, which had the reputation of being the 'workshop of the world'. Today, Birmingham still has a strong reputation as a business centre; according to the 2008 European Cities Entrepreneurship Ranking, the West Midlands city offers the best business environment in Europe and is one of the best cities in Europe for encouraging entrepreneurship.

At the same time, research and innovation (R&D) spending in the region is low by EU standards, and there is a shortage of young people embarking on careers in science and technology.

Birmingham is one of six officially designated 'science cities' in the UK. Birmingham Science City is overseen by a board which includes representatives from businesses, the public sector and universities. Together, they are setting up technology demonstrator projects in four key areas (low carbon technologies, innovative healthcare, digital and wireless technologies and security).

For example, in one project, a fleet of hydrogen powered vehicles is in use at the Universities of Birmingham and Coventry.

The hope is that when public sector organisations see proof of these technologies' viability, they will use their public procurement powers to purchase similar vehicles for their own extensive fleets. In the longer term, these projects demonstrate to investors in all sectors that the city is a hub of cutting edge research and innovation activities.

France does not have an official 'science city' scheme, but it does have a number of programmes and initiatives which Lyon is exploiting to turn itself into a science city. In 2005, the government launched the 'Pôles de Compétitivité' (competitiveness clusters), which bring together academics, industry, large companies and small and medium sized enterprises (SMEs). Nationwide, there are 71 clusters; Greater Lyon is home to five clusters, and the wider Rhône-Alps region is home to 16 - more than any other region including Paris.

Lyon has also sought to unite the city's diverse higher education and research institutes into an umbrella organisation called the University of Lyon. So far 20 institutions have signed up; they now brand themselves as the University of Lyon in their international communications. Ultimately, the city aims for the University of Lyon to be in the top 30 in Europe by 2015.

The German city of Jena is considerably smaller than Birmingham and Lyon, with just 100,000 inhabitants. Nevertheless, like the other two cities on display, it has a long history of research and innovation; the city's Friedrich Schiller University celebrates its 450th anniversary this year. Today, Jena is home to some 30 research institutions. Industry also has a strong presence in the city.

The city was awarded the title Science City 2008 by the Association of Sponsors for the Promotion of German Science. Jena has responded to this honour by setting up an alliance of public authorities, businesses, universities and research institutes under the banner 'Knowing and growing. Made in Jena'.

The science city concept is still relatively new, and the long term impact these initiatives will have remains to be seen. Nevertheless, they are already proving effective at linking up the stakeholders in the cities concerned. Furthermore, the science cities are increasingly talking to each other to share ideas and best practice.

http://www.birminghamsciencecity.co.uk/
http://www.grandlyon.com/
http://www.jena.de/sdw2008/

Source: Community R&D Information Service (CORDIS)