Location of Basque cultural industries from the social innovation standpoint. The case of the Martin Ugalde Cultural Park

Abstract

The aim of this work is to analyse the case of the Martin Ugalde Cultural Park from the standpoint provided by different economic theories, in which territory, innovation and culture are jointly analysed: the theories regarding Regional Development and the concept of Social Innovation. An attempt has been made to apply these theories to the field of cultural industries, taking into account the fact that the Park has a distinguishing feature within the location strategies attached to cultural industries: the fact of its being the centre for those cultural organisations which work in a minority language and wish to have a bearing on it. By analysing the field work carried out with agents from the Park, the conclusion has been drawn that, in addition to being a clear example of social innovation, it has sufficient elements at its disposal to be considered strategic in terms of its regional development perspective.