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Knowledge Cities 2006. Professor Francisco Jaview Carrillo
Introduction
In the post-industrial economy, knowledge-related activities have become central to creating national wealth and sustaining economic growth in the so-called "knowledge economy", also variously known as "knowledge-based economy" (KBE), "knowledge-driven global economy", "new networked economy" or the "new economy" ([63] Ofori, 2003). The sustenance of these knowledge-related activities requires continuous renewal of human and organizational capacities and creating environments, which are conducive to creativity, innovation, learning, and change ([44] Knight, 1995, p. 226). Researchers in city and urban planning such as [28] Florida (2002), [58] Mendieta (2001), [38] Hall (1998) and [70] Saxenian et al. (2002) have emphasized the importance of quality of a place, location or city in attracting talented knowledge workers such as those in the consulting, investment banking, law, science and technology industries. Global cities such as Paris, New York, London and Sydney are increasingly viewed as crucibles in the development and utilization of knowledge as a resource, and the term "knowledge city" has been used to define cities that are purposefully designed to encourage the nurturing of knowledge ([24] Edvinsson, 2002). These cities have also been associated with an intentional emphasis on the development of human and cultural resources ([44] Knight, 1995).
Singapore makes for an interesting case study for a knowledge-based economy in transition because of its developmental approach and strategic shift from the technology intensive sectors to one focused on high knowledge intensive companies ([54] Loo et al. , 2003) and towards a free-spirited dynamic creative hub in the making. It displays many characteristics typical of a knowledge-based economy such that people and their capabilities are the key sources of wealth and opportunities ([9] Chia, 2000). The World Economic Forum ranked Singapore as one of the most network-ready nations in the world in its Global Information Technology Report 2003-2004, coming in a close second to the US ([87] (The) World Economic Forum, 2003).
Singapore also has a dynamic business environment that spawned a well established IT and telecommunications infrastructure and services including over 6,000 multinational companies (MNCs) and 100,000 local enterprises comprising small- and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs) and large local corporations ([18] EDB Media Releases, 2003a). In 2001, the Swiss-based Institute for Management Development ranked Singapore third in R&D in its...