Urban Knowledge Areas and integrative and responsible governance models

Abstract

The promotion of urban spaces that are socially, economically and environmentally healthy and suitable to the context of urgencies and experiences of people, presupposes the existence of an integrative, participatory and responsible governance model, based on data and information that inform and instruct participants in the decision-making process, from the design/definition of the space to its management. In the particular case of this study, the territory researched is the one located around universities or research institutes. The research will be guided to answer some questions: Which instruments, strategies and policies should foster the planning and design of urban and built environment, in innovation hubs, to address socioeconomic inequalities in harmony with environmental demands and preservation? What urban design strategies can contribute to promote the social success of urban configurations of spaces dedicated to knowledge and innovation? How to turn a territory managed as a living laboratory of urban sustainability for a knowledge society into a catalyst pole of regional changes (educator space)? Thus, the overall objective of this research is to identify, systematize and understand different governance models (strategies and policies, technological choices, requirements and criteria, collaborative tools, the availability of open, readable and accessible data for society) of urban space, which connect research institutions, government, business, society and the environment, from the premise of a responsible approach, both from the point of view of scientific and technological development, use of environmentally appropriate materials and technologies for construction and infrastructure, road design focusing on the experience and mobility of people, experience and rescue of cultural values, economic development focused on sharing and not on maximization and exploitation, among others. Methodologically, to achieve the general objective of this research, which has a quanti-qualitative and exploratory approach, it will be developed bibliometric and bibliographic research activities (GALVÃO; PEREIRA, 2014), document analysis (GIL, 2010; BARDIN, 2004) and case study analysis. Semi-structured interviews will also be applied with stakeholders involved in the process of defining and approving the PIDS, as well as application of the delphi method in focus groups for parameter consolidation and design of framework and governance model of the CEUCI itself. From the development of the research, the following results are expected: (1) to advance the theoretical and empirical challenges in the debate about the relationship between knowledge spaces, informational modeling and public policies, in particular by bringing the constraints of a Latin American peripheral context; (2) mapping and systematizing governance models from successful case studies, but also from contexts similar to ours; (3) collaborating towards the construction of a framework to be reapplied in other campuses, during the second phase of the project, based on the following products: a. Bibliographic and bibliometric review on knowledge territories and 5th generation technology parks; b. Systematization and analysis of case studies similar to ours; c. Definition of constructs and parameters suitable for a model of governance pertinent to our peripheral context; d. Contribution to the definition and preparation of a catalog and glossary of data and information relevant to inform, clarify and subsidize the participation and decision-making of those involved in the territory; e. Collaboration in the development of tools for participation; (6) Preparation of reports, scientific articles and other scientific communication materials that synthesize and disseminate the research results, generating a variety of types of publication.