7.5.2 Malaga's Strategic EcoSystem Projects Well targeted urban eco-system strategies constitute the building blocks of the comprehensive concept of Me tropolitan Ma laga a s a n Ur ban Ecosystem of Innovation and its vision of spatial development. They are captured in a s ynthetic map of metropolitan Malaga showing the location of t he s trategic nodes of innovation, t he ecoboulevards connecting them, and their integration into the natural environment. Living l abs: PTA, Media-lab, r egenerated quarry 'Living Labs' are a key concept of Malaga's approach to innovation nodes. Their aim is to offer great potential for experimentation in spaces integrated for living, working, playing and learning. Their original features are: spaces of innovation and creativity; spaces for the arts and technology'; advanced digital infrastructure; integration between a rchitecture a nd n ature; n ew t ypes o f productive spaces; new types of living spaces; bio-climatic architecture; latest non polluting technologies to service mixed activities and uses. Overall, they constitute a 'world class' location to attract talent.
The three proposed 'living labs' are all located on the outskirt of the city, two at the interface of the motorway bypass, one on the coast, a t the transition between the built up area and the surrounding natural environment. The extension of the existing TechnoPark of Andalusia, PTA i s re ached by a c omprehensive, sustainable public transportation network. It offers spaces for experimentation to firms which are expected to cluster and establish close connections with the existing university campus and R&D establishments attracted to a nearby regenerated industrial area. The 'media-lab' is located on a privileged site above the city with spectacular sea views, planned for mixed uses. Its flexible life-work spaces with high level ICT i nfrastructure aim to create synergies between established media companies and start up firms. The media-lab will be connected by an ecological cable car system, which will link the city, the university campus, the media lab and recreation destinations in the surrounding countryside. Once decommissioned, the cement quarry provides a valuable site on the coast. By harnessing its man-made topography, recycling some industrial s tructures a nd a pplying b io-climatic principles to building design this site will become an exemplar living lab for innovative activities in the field of renewable energy.
Urban centrality and metropolitan connectivity