Creating knowledge-based clusters through urban development

Abstract

In 1997 Malaysia started the construction of the biggest knowledge-based cluster in the form of a new township known as Cyberjaya. <em>(Knowledge-based clusters are agglomeration of organisation that actively uses knowledge both as input and output for instance universities and colleges, research institutions, think-tanks, government research agencies and knowledge-intensive firms (Evers, 2010). )</em> The cluster was designed to be the Information and Communication Technology (ICT) hub following other Science Park models in developed countries. <em>(The term ICT is used loosely and covers all related industries including multimedia as well as software development and hardware design.)</em> The planning and development of the cluster is highly centralised and focuses on hard rather than soft infrastructure. If interconnection (Porter, 2000) and transfer of tacit knowledge (Evers, 2008) is the key to a successful cluster then it should be one of the main indicators of a dynamic cluster, apart from having a sophisticated infrastructure as argued by Saxenian (2004). Therefore, the main question addressed in this research is; <em>how do knowledge flow, knowledge sharing and urban planning contribute to the development of Cyberjaya as a knowledge city?</em><br /> This research has three main objectives; the first objective is to contribute towards the understanding on how physical development impacts the formation of knowledge-based clusters in Peninsular Malaysia. The influences of spatial planning and urban development on Cyberjaya as a knowledge-based cluster were also analysed. Finally, the last objective is to thoroughly examine knowledge sharing, knowledge network, and the importance of spatial proximity among people working in ICT companies in the city.<br /> In an attempt to answer the question and fulfil the three objectives this research has applied a case study (Yin, 2008) and mixed method approach (Cresswell, 2009). It uses the bottom up technique in which the research begins by understanding the situation through individuals living and working in the city before proceeding to analysing the development at the macro level. In addition, ‘<em>Verstehen</em>’ is exercised to understand the symbolic meaning connected with the city and its inhabitants. <em>(This method was utilised in chapter three in which the symbolic meaning of the city was analyse following an earlier study by Evers (1997).)</em><br /> I argue that politically motivated cluster development has influenced the epistemic landscape, knowledge-based cluster and knowledge workers in Cyberjaya. Furthermore, physical infrastructure alone would not produce the innovative and knowledge outcome. Malaysia’s centralised administrative system as well as ethnic, elites and crony based capital distribution has also impacted the growth of knowledge-based clusters. It creates an opportunity for the political elites to benefit from the massive infrastructure projects such as Cyberjaya. The argument is divided into seven parts consisting of one preamble together with five empirical chapters and a conclusion. They are based on different issues which make up the argument in the respective chapters.