Innovation Central Adelaide (ICA) celebrates a ground-breaking publication from Director, Dr Kathryn Anderson, published in the prestigious journal Regional Studies. Her article, “Creating engagement in planned ecosystems: a case study on innovation districts,” unpacks what truly drives successful innovation precincts—a critical insight for urban planners, policymakers, and economic developers.
The research challenges the common belief that simply co-locating talent, companies, and institutions sparks automatic collaboration. Drawing from in-depth studies of South Australia’s Tech Park SA (est. 1982) and Tonsley (est. 2012), Dr. Anderson reveals that meaningful engagement requires deliberate, adaptive strategies over time.
Key insights from the study
Dr. Anderson introduces “connective capacity”—a framework highlighting how policy, tenants, coordinators, and communities must work together to foster interaction:
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Co-location offers potential, but sustained relational investments are essential.
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Engagement evolves non-linearly through multiple ongoing processes.
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Long-term success prioritizes people and relationships over infrastructure alone.
These findings provide actionable guidance for precinct managers aiming to build vibrant ecosystems that fuel entrepreneurship and regional growth.
Read the full peer-reviewed article here: https://doi.org/10.1080/21681376.2026.2625605
Congratulations to Dr. Kathryn Anderson and Flinders University for advancing global knowledge on innovation districts—research that directly supports ICA’s mission in South Australia’s health and tech ecosystem.
