The technopolis as a response to industrial crisis: observations on the French case

Abstract

In response to economic crisis, the 1980s in Western Europe witnessed the emergence of a new post-industrial organizational form, the technopolis. This essay discusses the gap between the technopolis as an ideal concept and its empirical reality in France. Although it has been much touted by the media as an innovative response to crisis, its development and management are more difficult than usually depicted. The example of Sophia-Antipolis illustrates both the weaknesses and the strengths of the approach. Nevertheless, experience there has shown that with proper guidance and management the development of a technopolis milieu is a very useful and feasible alternative.