Innovation District Advisory Group, Meeting Notes 2018
From Department of the Taoiseach
Published on
Last updated on
From Department of the Taoiseach
Published on
Last updated on
The list of attendees is appended.
Agenda Item 1: Introductions
Members were welcomed to the first meeting of the Advisory Group and thanked for agreeing to participate. After introductions from each of the members, it was noted that a second representative from the local community would be nominated to the Advisory Group shortly.
Agenda Item 2: Terms of Reference and Context for the Advisory Group
Following a brief introduction to the context for the Advisory Group’s establishment and role, it was noted that the Group would not have any role in governance or funding of the Trinity Campus redevelopment project. It was agreed that the terms of reference would be amended to make more explicit the importance of the local community and consultation with it. It was also noted that a memorandum of understanding has been agreed between the universities concerning their active participation in the proposal.
Agenda Item 3: Briefing/Update on Redevelopment of the Grand Canal Campus
The Group received a short presentation on the ongoing programme of work in relation to the redevelopment of the Grand Canal Campus, and a number of issues arising were discussed.
The rationale for development of an Innovation District is to provide a focal point for innovative companies in Ireland, and ensuring a strong eco-system linking multinational companies, research universities, indigenous start-ups, VC firms and the local community. The Group noted that one of the most important metrics of success for the Innovation District proposal should be that Ireland builds its attractiveness for investment by innovative companies and that Dublin should achieve a much higher ranking in terms of its innovation status. Metrics should also incorporate all the Dublin universities.
Agenda Item 4: Presentation on International Perspectives on Innovation Districts
The Group received a presentation from CIC, based upon a report commissioned by the IDA, giving an international perspective on the Innovation District proposal. (It was noted that following a procurement process CIC are currently in discussions with TDC about becoming an Innovation Partner). The presentation detailed Dublin’s strengths which include a strong VC sector and research intensive universities. Links between universities and industry could be strengthened which would provide a focal point for innovation in the form of a dedicated district. The Group also heard how such districts operated in other cities such as Rotterdam and St. Louis and are at various stages of development in 50 of the leading global cities.
The Group discussed how such a model might be configured to take account of Dublin’s unique concentration of MNCs and research universities, and ensure that all parts of the ecosystem are working in tandem. The importance of transport and other infrastructure investment in supporting such an innovation district was raised, as was the need to consider lessons from other countries such as Israel.
Agenda Item 5: Discussion on Draft Future Programme
It was noted that the Group would make its report in Q1 2019 and there would be approximately five plenary meetings. The work programme would be revised in light of the discussion and observations at the meeting and circulated to members.
Agenda Item 6: Consultation Process
TCD outlined that the first formalised consultation had already happened with the local community and that further consultations with stakeholders were planned. The outcome of these consultations would be fed into the work of the Advisory Group.
Agenda Item 7: AOB
It was agreed that minutes would be circulated and when agreed, they would be published on the Department of the Taoiseach website. D/Taoiseach would be in contact with members to agree future dates of meetings.
The list of attendees is appended.
Agenda Item 1: Minutes of last meeting
The minutes of the last meeting were approved and it was noted that they would be published on the Department of the Taoiseach website. It was noted that Amanda Gaynor was nominated as the second representative from the Community and Emma Wilson was nominated as an alternative representative as required.
Agenda Item 2: Community views on the development of the Innovation District
St. Andrew’s Resource Centre’s presentation profiled the local community, the work of the Centre and set out what is necessary for the community to flourish in the context of the Innovation District. Issues raised included affordable social housing, education and employment for those living in the area. The need to ensure that the Innovation District (ID) helped local residents to remain in the community was emphasised as well as ensuring it contributes to the quality of life in the area was emphasised.
It was noted that the community representatives of the IDAG would visit the Innovation District in King’s Cross Area of London in the New Year to see how the needs of the local community were integrated with developments. Details of the visit will be circulated shortly and it will be open to all members of the IDAG to participate in the visit.
Agenda Item 3: Higher Education, Research/Innovation and links with Enterprise
D/ES presentation outlined the strategic framework for higher education (HE) research and innovation and underlined that research-intensive universities are an essential condition for the success of Innovation Districts. It underlined the need for clustering to enable proximity which could lead to enhanced innovation.
D/BEI presentation underlined how the Innovation District could be an example of best practice between HE research and enterprise development sectors and the insights drawn from existing policies and mechanisms. It emphasised the need to move quickly to deliver on the potential of the Innovation District.
Discussions focussed on the importance of ensuring that all HE institutions contribute to the research capacity and competitiveness of the Innovation District to ensure that it has the necessary scale to compete in global terms. The importance of aligning relevant MNCs with the development of the ID was also emphasised. Discussion also focussed on the extent to which the Innovation District should specialise from the outset or whether it should develop in a more organic fashion which could facilitate the emergence of core competencies.
Agenda Item 4: Next Steps \ Future Meetings
The Chair outlined that next meeting of the Group would focus on activation and policy enablers and the meeting after that would discuss a draft roadmap. The Secretariat will forward details of the meetings to the group.
Agenda Item 5: AOB
TCD updated the group on their successful application for a €1.5m grant from the Urban Regeneration and Development Fund to move the plans for the redevelopment of the Grand Canal Campus forward.