Global perspectives on science parks and innovation districts to boost regional development in Colombia

On 7th November 2025 the Inter-American Development Bank (IDB) hosted the event “Science Parks and Innovation Districts: Opportunities for Regional Ecosystems in Colombia” in Bogotá, which brought together national and international experts to explore how science and technology parks can foster regional growth through research, development, and innovation (R&D&I). 

The programme featured diverse perspectives and international experiences. Laura Monasterio, IASP Knowledge & Project Manager, delivered a presentation introducing the main typologies, governance models, and global trends of science parks and areas of innovation. The Korea Technopark Association (KTPA) presented the South Korean model of science and technology parks, showcasing its historical evolution, governance framework, and focus on sustainable growth. Meanwhile, the consultancy company Technopolis offered a comprehensive overview of the evolution and current state of science and innovation parks in Colombia, mapping their progress and identifying key challenges for the coming years. 

Several IASP members also contributed to the discussions, including 22@Barcelona (Spain), Sapiens Parque (Brazil), Parque de Investigación e Innovación Tecnológica de Monterrey – PIIT (Mexico), and Ruta N (Colombia). Each shared successful experiences in governance, financial sustainability, and collaboration between academia and industry. 

From the Colombian ecosystem, initiatives such as Guatiguará Technology Park, Campus CTI, and Villamaría Innovation District presented their ongoing projects. The Guatiguará Technology Park, supported by the IDB through project CO-T1754, was highlighted as a strategic model for strengthening regional innovation capacity and competitiveness. 

IASP reaffirms its commitment to promoting international cooperation and knowledge exchange, with this event supporting Latin America’s growing network of science and technology parks as engines of sustainable regional development.