Balancing gentrification in the knowledge economy: the case of Chattanooga’s innovation district

Abstract

Innovation districts are emerging as place-based, knowledge-based urban development strategies in diverse cities around the world. They have, however, been criticized for being non-participative top-down initiatives that encourage gentrification and income, social, and racial polarization. In 2015, Mayor Berke launched Chattanooga’s Innovation District in the city’s downtown to accelerate the transformation of Chattanooga into a knowledge city. This paper investigates the programs that are being implemented in order to mitigate the negative externalities that such a strategy can generate. Using Chattanooga as an exploratory case, the authors argue that gentrification in innovation districts can increase knowledge spillovers.