Bridges between cities, academia and industry: experts gather in Halle to discuss how science parks help regions navigate transformation

How do strong ecosystems emerge? How can regions adapt to industrial change while continuing to attract talent, research and investment? These questions were at the heart of the Transformations FORUM Hochschulstadt held in Halle, Germany, which brought together representatives from academia, urban development, and innovation ecosystems to explore the evolving role of science parks in regional transformation. 

Through keynote presentations and panel discussions featuring experts in sustainability and climate change, participants explored how science parks, as key drivers bringing together academia, industry and cities, can help regions respond to economic and technological change. 

The event brought together experts from across Germany's science park landscape and several IASP members, including Michael Hübner from Brandenburg University of Technology Cottbus-Senftenberg and Lausitz Science Park, IASP European Division President Agnes von Matuschka from Potsdam Science Park, Frank Drewes from Brainergy Park Jülich GmbH, and Roland Sillmann from Wista-Management GmbH Berlin Adlershof.  

The discussion emphasised that where academia and business work closely and continuously together, new ideas, startups and strong innovation ecosystems emerge. Science parks create the right framework conditions for this to happen although they differ in location, facilities, thematic focus, and ownership, what they have in common is the aim of creating optimal conditions for research, knowledge transfer and collaboration. 

Speakers also highlighted the growing importance of science parks in regions undergoing structural transition, including industrial and energy-related transformation processes such as those affecting the automotive sector. In these contexts, science parks can help create new development opportunities while supporting more sustainable and future-oriented regional economies. 

The forum reinforced the growing role of science parks as connectors between academia, industry and cities, and we look forward to continuing these conversations on the vital role science parks play in shaping resilient, innovative and inclusive regional futures.