01Introduction

In January this year, Bruce Katz, co-author of The Rise of Innovation Districts and Director of the Metropolitan Programme at the US Brookings Institution, and Kelly Kline, Economic Development Director of the City of Fremont, California, visited the Sheffield-Rotherham area of South Yorkshire to explore how the principles of an Innovation District might be relevant for the cluster of innovation in high value manufacturing concentrated in the area.

This report was supported by the Sheffield International Economic Commission (SIEC) and provides insights for partners to take forward an Innovation District strategy. The report focuses on recommendations for supporting advanced manufacturing growth and innovation, based on the principles put forward in The Rise of Innovation Districts and Centre for Cities’ expertise.