2024 Theses Master's

The Mechanism of Formation and Dynamics of Evolution of The Innovation Zone: A Case Study of New York City

Chen, Zhiyang

This study examines the formation and development of innovation zones in New York City with two case studies of Cornell Tech On Roosevelt Island and the Flatiron District in Midtown Manhattan. The research started with a review on innovation zones with discovery by international scholars and consisted with mostly qualitative method for the exploration of the NYC context. The first results indicate the collaborative effort of the construction of a campus for senior education institution as a continuous source for the cluster of innovative groups with sustainable placemaking. Another result demonstrated a redevelopment of in a built community through the integration of innovation zones on a district level, thriving the community with convenient access to public services and business. Further thinking is carried out on the planning for the participants of innovation zones, combination with urban construction, and placemaking for sustainability and inclusiveness. Future research also needs to emphasize on the meso and micro level, mixed land use, and localized analytical framework, as well as on gentrification.