Breakout 2: Building for tomorrow – developing the infrastructure of innovation spaces

September 17th, 2025 — 16:00


Description

This session focuses on the structural and institutional frameworks required to build successful innovation spaces. Panelists from the U.S., Thailand, Kenya, and China discuss land-use planning, infrastructure design, funding models, and governance systems that facilitate long-term growth, adaptability, and cross-sector collaboration.
Innovation spaces worldwide face a critical crossroad: adapt or become obsolete. Here, you’ll hear about different methodologies for rejuvenating spaces and building adaptive infrastructure that meets tomorrow’s innovation demands.

Konza Technopolis will explain how they are driving Kenya’s infrastructure-first strategy to position African innovation hubs for future technological evolution. Engaging in the local ecosystem, Zhonggguancun’s regional collaborative model will showcase integrated planning for new-quality productive forces, from Thailand, Chiang Mai University will explain how they plan to tackle urbanisation challenges by aligning technological innovation with sustainable development goals, and with 60 years behind them, Macquarie Park Innovation District, Australia will share their lessons learned when it comes to infrastructure.

These transformative approaches will reveal how strategic interventions can breathe new life into innovation ecosystems.

 


Moderator

Adamska, JustynaPoznan Science and Technology Park, Poland

Speakers

Johnson, DanConnect Macquarie Park Innovation District, Australia60 years of building infrastructure for innovation at Macquarie Park Innovation District
Wattanachai, PitiwatSTeP, Chiang Mai University, ThailandDriving sustainable urban development: the role of step in shaping northern Thailand’s economic future
Tanui, JohnPrincipal Secretary Ministry of Information Communication and the Digital Economy, KenyaAdvancing industrial development in Kenya through innovation spaces: the case for the North Rift Green Industrial Park in Baringo County
Hu, DeHuiBeijing Zhongguancun Information Valley Asset Management Co., Ltd, ChinaExploration and practice of regional collaborative innovation in Zhongguancun