The World Intellectual Property Organization (WIPO) has announced Charleroi in Belgium, Liverpool in the United Kingdom and Shanghai in China as the first-ever recipients of its City of Innovation awards. The recognition highlights the growing importance of innovation, creativity and intellectual property in shaping urban development and supporting economic growth.

The inaugural awards recognise cities that are advancing innovation and creating environments where ideas can be developed into practical solutions. The announcement also draws attention to the role of local governments, businesses, researchers and creative communities in building stronger innovation ecosystems.

Recognising Innovation Across Three Cities

The selection of Charleroi, Liverpool and Shanghai brings together three cities with distinct economic backgrounds and development priorities. Their recognition highlights how innovation can emerge in different urban environments, from industrial transformation to creative industries and advanced technology.

Charleroi, located in Belgium, has a strong industrial heritage. Efforts to develop new economic activities and encourage technological innovation are important to the wider transformation of industrial cities seeking new opportunities for growth.

Liverpool, in the United Kingdom, has a history shaped by maritime trade and cultural activity. Its creative economy, educational institutions and business communities provide opportunities for innovation across cultural, scientific and commercial sectors.

Shanghai, one of China’s major economic centres, is known for its extensive business networks, research capabilities and technology-driven industries. Its large urban economy offers a setting in which innovation can develop across manufacturing, finance, digital services and scientific research.

Although the cities have different strengths, their recognition reflects the broad range of ways urban areas can encourage new ideas and support economic development.

Why Cities Matter in the Innovation Economy

Cities play a central role in innovation because they bring together businesses, universities, researchers, skilled workers, investors and public institutions. These connections can help new ideas move from research and development into commercial products and services.

Urban authorities can support innovation by investing in infrastructure, encouraging collaboration between institutions and creating conditions that help businesses develop new technologies.

Innovation can also contribute to addressing local challenges, including transport congestion, environmental pressures, public service delivery and the efficient use of resources.

When cities develop effective innovation ecosystems, they can create opportunities for new enterprises, attract investment and support the development of specialised skills.

Intellectual Property as a Foundation for Growth

Intellectual property is an important part of the innovation process because it provides legal mechanisms for protecting and managing certain creations of the human mind, including inventions, designs, brands and creative works.

Patents, trademarks, industrial designs and copyright can help innovators protect their work and establish commercial value. Effective intellectual property systems can also support licensing, collaboration and investment by providing greater clarity about ownership and permitted use.

For smaller businesses and independent creators, understanding intellectual property can be especially important when introducing new products, developing brands or entering international markets.

However, innovation policy also requires a balance between protecting creators’ interests and enabling knowledge sharing, competition and wider public benefit.

Innovation Beyond Technology

Innovation is not limited to advanced laboratories or large technology companies. It can also involve new business models, improvements in manufacturing, creative production, better public services and more efficient ways of organising local economies.

Cities can encourage this broader approach by supporting entrepreneurs, strengthening vocational education, improving access to finance and connecting established companies with emerging businesses.

Creative industries can contribute through design, digital media and cultural production, while industrial innovation can improve productivity and support the transition towards more efficient production systems.

A diverse innovation ecosystem can help cities adapt to economic changes and reduce their dependence on a narrow range of industries.

Building Sustainable and Inclusive Innovation Ecosystems

Recognition through an innovation award can draw attention to a city’s initiatives, but sustained progress depends on practical results.

Cities need to consider whether innovation generates quality employment, improves productivity, supports environmental sustainability and creates opportunities for different sections of society.

Access to education, digital infrastructure and entrepreneurial support can influence who benefits from innovation. Without inclusive policies, opportunities may remain concentrated among established companies or highly skilled workers.

Local governments and development partners can help broaden participation by supporting small businesses, research collaborations and skills programmes that respond to local needs.

Measuring progress through indicators such as business creation, research activity, investment, employment and public-service improvements can help cities assess the effectiveness of their strategies.

A New International Recognition for Innovative Cities

The first-ever WIPO City of Innovation awards place Charleroi, Liverpool and Shanghai among the cities recognised for their role in advancing innovation.

The initiative highlights the connection between urban development, intellectual property and the ability to turn creative ideas into practical economic and social outcomes.

As cities face changing industrial conditions, technological advances and growing sustainability challenges, innovation will remain an important part of long-term development planning.

The recognition of these three cities provides an opportunity to examine different approaches to innovation and encourage further exchange of ideas between urban communities worldwide.