Social innovation in productive assets redevelopment: Insights from the urban development scene

Abstract

Urban planners, geographers and architects have long examined experiences of regeneration of neglected areas and abandoned assets. Nowadays, the European experiences are oriented towards a new metropolitan perspective that includes innovative approaches and strategies of socially innovative redevelopment. A relevant role is played by non-profit entities whose ambition is to create new socio-economic and cultural values, affecting the urban space. This paper aims to provide a valuable insight about the spatial dimension of social innovation through the analysis of a specific case of brownfield re-cycling. Through qualitative and quantitative methodologies, with exploratory surveys, interviews and demographic analysis, the research shows the experience of the reactivation of the Spinnerei cotton mill of Leipzig (Germany). The results illustrate how social enterprises become activators of the urban development process and links between local community and municipality. Furthermore, the research argues that these hybrid practices need to be oriented and classified, defining new approaches of urban planning in collaboration with social enterprises and creating an innovative network between the different stakeholders.