Green Economy as a driver for Urban Regeneration: insights from Greentown Labs, USA

Abstract

The objective of this study is to investigate the linkages between economic development, innovation and environmental sustainability inside urban areas. To achieve this goal, this paper adopts a case study strategy, by drawing inspiration from an incubator located in the Boston metropolitan area, named Greentown Labs. The case study is discussed by analysing the different stages the Greentown Labs went through, relocating from Cambridge to Boston and then from Boston to Somerville. The present contribution will give some recommendations considering the creation of incubators as facilitator of growth of innovative start-ups that can be essential for spurring innovation and economic development within urban centres