Regional Innovation Systems and Transformative Innovation Policy: An Embedded Approach

Transformative Innovation Policy (TIP) is a strategic framework that addresses major societal challenges by promoting (distruptive) innovation, participatory processes and cross-sector collaboration. Due to its multi-scalar perspective, TIP is gradually being adopted in regional policy contexts, where place-based needs and local capacities play a pivotal role. However, effective regional approaches require integration into strategies at a higher governance level, which address infrastructure, legislation, and regulation and provide shared learning environments. Building on a recently completed project initiated by the Austrian Conference on Spatial Planning (ÖROK), this paper proposes a practitioner-oriented approach in which regions and their innovation ecosystems are embedded within a multi-level governance framework (TrIP – Transformative regionally embedded Innovation Policy). The model links: (i) shared visions and cross-sectoral strategies; (ii) innovation spaces and co-creative processes; (iii) learning, scaling up and diffusion across regions; and (iv) the adaptation of regulations, norms and institutions, including exnovation. This approach is illustrated through two case studies: an energy transition initiative in a rural area and a logistics innovation in an urban area.