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Vancouver:
Physical Space | Digital Space
Brian Wixted (PhD),
Research Fellow - Centre for Policy Research on Science and Technology
Simon Fraser University
Adjunct Professor, Johnson Shoyama Graduate School of Public Policy,
University of Saskatchewan
Technomics Research
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About Me
• Griffith Uni (Commerce), then Applied Science then PhD.
• 25 years working on science, technology and innovation
systems concepts (Aust Govt, UWS and now in Vancouver).
• I am not a geographer by training, but have become evermore
rapt by geography’s dimensions.
• I have done considerable work on global trade structures
• I am fascinated by trade, innovation and physical places.
• Too much of the innovation literature wants to develop ‘laws’
like economics from small case studies whereas places it
seems to me to rarely universalisable.
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Innovation Systems
• Innovation clusters (industries – of a ‘high tech’ nature)
• Institutions (universities, business R&D, Gov’t labs)
• Knowledge / innovation flows
• Businesses do not innovate alone.
• Now rather out of fashion.
• Entrepreneurship
• Value chains
• Research commercialisation (still)
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Source: Center for International Earth Science Information Network (CIESIN), Columbia University; and Centro Internacional de Agricultura Tropical (CIAT).
2005. Gridded Population of the World Version 3 (GPWv3): Population Grids. Palisades, NY:
Socioeconomic Data and Applications Center (SEDAC), Columbia University. Available at http://sedac.ciesin.columbia.edu/gpw.
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Cluster Vancouver Origins Global Origins
New media 1980s 1980s (California)
Bio/Pharma 1981 1976
Fuel Cells 1980 1950s (space program)
1980s - remergence
Wireless (mobile
communications)
1930s (Late) 1930s (early)
Motion Pictures 1980s 1900s (California)
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Fuel Cells
• The fuel cells cluster relies on a deep local labour market and,
although largely unacknowledged in the interviews,
Vancouver has benefited from flows (particularly of finances)
from major auto companies. Yet, the cluster does not rely to
any significant extent on input-output relations as it engineers
many of its own parts in small scale manufacturing;
• the local fuel cells cluster did not invent hydrogen fuel cells
but Ballard Power rejuvenated interest in the technology
which had been largely thought to be a dead end (Koppel
1999) and Vancouver is now a major centre for the technology
with a number of entrepreneurial start-ups;
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Bio-Pharma
• The emerging bio-pharma cluster has benefited over an
extended period from research findings from the University of
British Columbia as well as from inputs in the form of
contracted research results from other major centres of
pharmaceuticals companies as strategy of IP building;
• the bio-pharma cluster emerged early in the lifecycle of the
industry, but remains a complicated case due to the
combination of a high and increasing level of activity, but
with a high number of entry and exit of start-up companies;
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New Media
• Games, Animation etc
• The new media cluster relies upon a diverse range of inputs
particularly people with experience and contacts with the
major motion picture cluster (Hollywood North – see Coe
2001).
• The new media cluster took root in Vancouver early and
though not escaping the ramifications of a world-wide drop in
sales during the global financial crisis appears to continue to
towards consolidation and strength;
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Wireless
• Wireless has also relied on a deepening of the local talent
pool, connections with the new media cluster and
international contacts;
• the wireless cluster which has long been embedded in the city
with a steady stream of local start-ups continues to develop,
albeit in a constant state of flux and transformation; and
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Hollywood North
• Hollywood North is reliant on continued spin-out activity from
Hollywood driving the local cluster.
• Hollywood North took time to take root in Vancouver and
relies on government support particularly as the Canadian
dollar rises in comparison to the US dollar but the sector
came through 2009 and 2010 surprisingly well. The cluster
plays an anchor role in Vancouver for wireless and new
media.
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Physical Space
• Vancouver is very west coast. Port, movies and digital tech
and Chinese investment property bank.
• People work in very particular places on the globe.
• Every place offers very particular advantages, disadvantages
and histories.
• Vancouver is a very early technology creator
• However, it rarely develops critical mass – often too far from
super clusters
• The U.S border helps and hinders – different currency
different immigration rules help and also hinder. Work can be
‘contracted out’ (outsourced is not really a correct term in this
context) but fast travel is limited by border processes.
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Games, Animation, Visual FX & Software
(GAVS) and the Dark Matter
• So we know a little of the strange life of wireless, new media
and GAVS.
• Is there Digital Dark Matter sitting alongside or in these
sectors.
• That is the next research project being led by my colleague.
• I will be somewhat involved.
• I am more focussed on digital ag and mining issues.
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Brisbane
• Vancouver has this volatile caldron of talent fueling its
successes – always bubbling and imploding.
• It overlooks its fragile strength I think for fear of damaging the
source fuel (people) of its prosperity.
• Cities like Sydney are global hubs.
• What about Brissy? I grew up here but it is more a mystery
every time I come back.
• Similar population, it is a port like Vancouver but not an air
hub. Maybe a better climate than Melbourne but no distinct
advantage.
• Where does Brissy add value?
