for bio-technology; Kuala Lumpur wants to consolidate its position as a c entre for multimedia technologies with its Multimedia Super-corridor project; Boston's cluster of quality universities led to the development of its creative economy; and Miami benefits from being the 'meeting point' between the United States and Latin America. There are opportunities of creating city-systems with surrounding cities.This is especially relevant in Europe with its long urban tradition and rich system of historic s ettlements. Opportunities emerge from defining complementary urban profiles of cities within a city-system; strengthening certain economic, cultural or social connections; creating polycentric urban structures; developing supra-municipal functions; and fostering closer interaction between cities, the rural system and natural spaces, as in the case of the Euskal Hiria initiative in the Basque Country. The emergence of a city-region around the principal city offers tremendous but complex opportunities.The organisation of the metropolitan region is possibly the most difficult challenge of urban planning in the 21 st century. The future of cities
depends increasingly on their ability to identify the vocation of the city in relationship with the surrounding environment. SmartPlaces are able to identify a c ompetitive urban profile for their future in relation to their contextual conditions. Traditional urbanism is not the most appropriate tool to identify urban profiles, as it is oriented towards the allocation of urban activities within municipal boundaries. New planning scales are needed, combined with an understanding of the 'components of excellence' of cities, together with their singularities in relation to their context, as a basis for strategic thinking.
6.1.7 SmartPlaces are Committed to Innovation The most innovative and successful companies in the international markets devote much time and effort to research and development (R&D) activities. Similarly, cities and regions will be able to successfully meet future challenges through research and design of innovative strategies. SmartPlaces seek innovation and emphasise the 'Urbanism of Ideas'.
Curitiba. Unilivre
Arabianranta in Helsinki
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