An Assessment of Science and Technology Parks: Towards a Better Understanding of Their Role in the Emergence of New Technologies (Classic Reprint)

Uncover how science parks fit into today’s tech world and why their impact is still debated. This concise, evidence-based study examines science and technology parks as a mechanism for technology transfer, drawing on Belgian and Dutch data to test what actually happens when universities, firms, and public bodies collaborate.

Two clear aims guide the work: explain the benefits and challenges of science parks as technology transfer hubs, and propose a broader framework for understanding how new technologies emerge. The book weighs optimistic promises against sceptical evidence and highlights the central role of professional communities and networks.

• Provides empirical findings from Belgian and Dutch science parks on tenant companies, spin-offs, and linkages to universities.


• Explores how proximity, collaboration, and access to talent influence a park’s effectiveness.


• Discusses competing mechanisms for technology transfer beyond parks, such as research consortia and joint ventures.


• Offers a balanced view on policy implications for regional development and innovation strategies.

Ideal for readers of technology policy, regional development, and innovation studies seeking a grounded look at how science parks contribute to or complicate the emergence of new technologies.