ENGLISH ABSTRACT: Innovation can be defined as a process whereby radical and incremental changes in thinking,
in a process and in services lead to novel processes, products and services on a global scale.
The nature of this “process” distinguishes it from similar processes concerning development
and competitiveness with which it is often confused.
Given their unique characteristics and challenges, cities are often the ideal and most likely
sites for innovation in a globalised world. In the past, cities were mainly tasked with
managing the affairs of their citizens. However, modern-day cities often find themselves
facing more significant challenges, such as competing with other cities for investment,
knowledge and tourists. In addition, cities in the 21st century are challenged to develop city
cultures that are conducive to a knowledge-based economy and lifestyle.
Against this background, the purpose of this thesis was to determine the relationship between
innovation and cities in a knowledge-based economy (chapter 1). The chosen research
methodology entailed critically analysing core concepts, namely cities (chapter 2), innovation
(chapter 3), and the relationship between cities and innovation in the knowledge economy
(chapter 4). Based on this, the researcher proceeded to postulate recommendations and
suggestions for policies of innovation in cities (chapter 5). In so doing, the foundation was
laid for the future development of a policy regarding innovation in developing cities (chapter
6).
AFRIKAANSE OPSOMMING: Innovasie kan gedefinieer word as ’n proses bestaande uit radikale en inkrementele
veranderinge in denkpatrone, in ‘n proses, produkte en dienste wat uiting kry in die
ontwikkeling van nuwe prosesse, produkte en dienste op ‘n globale skaal. Die aard van
hierdie “proses” onderskei dit van soortgelyke prosesse rakende ontwikkeling en
mededingendheid waarmee dit menigmaal verwar word.
Stede word dikwels beskou as die ideale (en mees waarskynlike) gebiede waar innovasie in
’n geglobaliseerde wêreld kan plaasvind, vanweē hul unieke karaktereienskappe en die
uitdagings wat hulle in die gesig staar. In die verlede was stede slegs belas met die belange
van hul inwoners, maar hedendaagse stede moet dikwels ander uitdagings, soos strawwe
kompetisie vir beleggings, kennis en toeriste, teen ander stede die hoof bied. Terselfdertyd,
word daar van stede in die 21ste eeu verwag om stedelike kulture te ontwikkel wat
bevorderlik is vir ’n kennis-gebaseerde ekonomie en leefstyl.
Teen hierdie agtergrond was die doel van hierdie tesis om die aard van die verhouding tussen
innovasie en stede te bepaal (hoofstuk 1). Die gekose navorsingsmetodologie het die kritiese
analise van kernkonsepte behels, naamlik stede (hoofstuk 2), innovasie (hoofstuk 3) en die
verhouding tussen stede en innovasie in die kennisekonomie (hoofstuk 4). Op grond van
hierdie analise, het die navorser aanbevelings en voorstelle rakende innovasie-beleide in stede
gepostuleer en geformuleer (hoofstuk 5). Op hierdie manier, kon die grondslag gelê word vir
die toekomstige ontwikkeling van ’n beleid vir innovasie in ontwikkelende stede (hoofstuk
6).
