This conference paper was written together with Carolina Ferro, Ida Jusic, Mitalee Parikh and Tomas Diez Ladera (Fab City Foundation), and Carlotta Fontana and Francesco Cingolani (Volumes Paris) for the Fab17 Research Papers Stream (Fab17), Bali, Indonesia, on the 19th October 2022.
The article, presented by Carolina Ferro at the conference, provides a conceptual discussion on the Fab City Hub (FCH) model, a model on productive hubs developed by the Fab City Global Initiative, as well as empirical qualitative data based on four case studies. First, the article presents a literature review of the current state of the art of Creative and Productive Hubs (CPHs), contextualising the emergence of FCHs within the history and development of CPHs. Second, the methodological approach of the study is presented. Third, four case studies from different geographies are presented, and brief analysis of them is made to show the most recent paths that CHPs are taking towards a new hub typology, transitioning towards FCHs. Fourth, based on the empirical evidence of the case studies, the article establishes a conceptual framework that allows comparing the potential of the FCH model and existing hub models, and allows a preliminary definition of FCHs. Finally, some conclusions are drawn, evidencing how by facilitating innovative practices, new production systems and an enhanced flow of knowledge, FCHs emerge as interfaces/gateways for local (and global) community building and playgrounds for new innovative urban actions.
The article, together with the proceedings of the conference, were published at:
