This paper develops the idea of “place difference” as a practical tool for supporting place-based social innovation. Originally developed by US sociologists, Harvey Molotch, William Freudenberg and Krista Paulsen, “place difference” provides a framework for thinking holistically about local context, change and innovation. The “place difference” model analyzes the multiple connections between people, organizations, ideas, opportunities, cities and neighbourhoods, and how they “lash up” to create place-specific processes and outcomes. We explore how “place difference” can be developed as a practical tool to increase understanding about local dynamics, how they can shape the success and outcomes of interventions and how they can boost or frustrate innovation. [Authors’ abstract].
Woodcraft, Saffron and Bacon, Nicola (2013) Innovating places : a new role for 'place difference' (Paper presented at the international conference Social Frontiers : The next edge of social innovation research, at GCU's London Campus on 14th and 15th November 2013).
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