Inclusive Innovation

Glasgow Riverside Innovation District wants to be a place where the economic and social benefits of innovation are accessible to a diverse population, including traditionally marginalised groups. 

Innovation districts are geographic areas where leading-edge anchor institutions – in the case of GRID, the University of Glasgow - and companies cluster and connect with start-ups, business incubators, and accelerators. They are designed to be dense, walkable, and transit-connected, fostering an ecosystem that encourages collaboration and entrepreneurship. 
 
The concept of inclusive innovation within these districts emphasises the importance of creating opportunities for all segments of the community, regardless of their background, education, or socioeconomic status. It aims to address the risk that innovation districts could exacerbate inequality and social division by driving up prices and displacing existing residents and businesses. 
 
Inclusive innovation strategies may involve: 

• Ensuring affordable housing and workspace to maintain socioeconomic diversity. 

• Providing education and training programmes that equip people with the skills needed to participate in new workplaces.

• Creating pathways for local residents to access well-paid jobs within the district. 

• Engaging with the community to make sure that development reflects the needs and desires of existing residents.

By prioritising inclusivity, the hope is innovation districts such as GRID can become engines of economic growth that contribute to the overall health and wealth of the broader community, rather than exclusive enclaves that benefit only a few.