Discover the guide “Strengthening the links between cities and innovators”

>This practical guide was produced by four students of the Master in Governing the Large Metropolis in conjunction with the Association Internationale des Maires Francophones (AIMF), as part of a capstone project. It is aimed at mayors who are members of the AIMF network, an international organisation of mayors of cities in French-speaking countries, with the objective of highlighting good practice that strengthens links between urban innovators.

The town council is at the nexus of local/regional action – the point where all local actors intersect. It is in contact with civil society, research institutions, businesses, other communities, different levels of government, etc. This is why it must facilitate interactions between the various actors and sectors. Its unique perspective allows it to create effective and efficient relationships, forging the right connections with the right players. By stimulating collective intelligence in this way, it constructs an ecosystem that fosters robust, creative innovation.

Mathilde Boyer, Johan Nicolas Diaz, Lina Goelzer and Lou-Anna Roul address two hypotheses in this guide. The first is that the town council must strengthen its catchment’s innovation ecosystem, in particular by supporting and connecting local actors with the aim of making its territory viable, pleasant and attractive. The second is that innovation can be used by the town council to address targeted issues (waste management, traffic management, etc.) and to improve governance.

This methodological guide draws mainly on case studies conducted in Abidjan (Côte d'Ivoire), Lausanne (Switzerland), Lyon (France) and Phnom Penh (Cambodia), due to the specificities and differences of their local innovation ecosystems.

See the guide (FR)