We mentioned an event in our last newsletter where Jane Davies, CEO Manchester Science Park, UK delivered a public lecture on "Science Parks - Economic Catalysts for City Growth". If you haven’t heard about this initiative from three key project partners – here it is (courtesy of the Economic Development Group at Auckland City Council)…… Auckland City Council is playing a leading role in fostering a science park and promoting a ‘science precinct’ in the area around the Tamaki campus of the University of Auckland.

The science park is jointly under investigation by Auckland City Council, the Ministry of Economic Development (MED) and the University of Auckland.

It is expected that the science park would attract research organisations and businesses that could benefit from proximity to the research-focused campus. In turn, the science park is the hub which would foster the development of the science or innovation precinct in the wider surrounds.

To be known as the Tamaki Innovation Precinct, the proposed wider area would go through the council’s business precinct planning process – which includes wide consultation. The concept of a science precinct has been found to work adjacent to universities in areas such as Cambridge (UK), Manchester (UK), Kista (Sweden), Turku (Finland) and Raleigh (USA). These parks and precincts take some years to develop but they can grow to sustain large employee numbers, student populations and produce high value-added goods and services. They typically serve as incubators for business innovation.

For more information and to register an interest in the park or precinct development, contact: Trudi Fava Auckland City Council (09) 354 2190 or follow developments on http://www.aucklandcity.govt.nz/council/documents/tamakiprecinct/default.asp