Dhe western flank is the western urban “flank” of Region Holland Rijnland, where cooperation takes place within a contiguous area.
Key Region Leiden’s ‘Strengthening and Connecting Knowledge and Innovation Axis’ project is a pilot of the Regional Investment Agenda (RIA) of the Holland Rhineland Region. This involves all of our 17 partners.
Result of the program
In 2035, the Knowledge and Innovation Axis will have become a leading international ecosystem of the Netherlands and Europe. The three knowledge clusters Life Science & Health, Space and Autonomous tech, will then work together integrally as drivers of innovation, regional economic earning power, social impact and talent development. The ecosystem is firmly embedded in the nurturing economy and demonstrably contributes to broad prosperity in the region.
Knowledge Axis
Approach to the program
The program develops a powerful and knowledge-intensive cooperation in which the knowledge clusters are interconnected and closely intertwined with SMEs, the service economy and social issues.
By stimulating innovation and technological progress and strengthening the necessary preconditions, we are working on a robust and future-proof network that contributes to both regional and (inter)national ambitions.
Research through Knowledge Axis study
From the municipalities with a knowledge cluster, the Plan of Approach for the RIA study knowledge axis is currently being prepared. The study focuses on 4 lines of research: one for the region, and one per knowledge cluster. The Leiden Bio Science Park needs data (an impact study), while the other two clusters seek qualitative recommendations. For the region, the research questions are also focused on quality (recommendations for strengthening the knowledge economy). The NL Space Campus itself recently commissioned an impact study.
The fact that we will soon have an impact study of the NL Space Campus and the Leiden Bio Science Park is going to help us tremendously as a region. We will also closely coordinate LBSP’s study with that of the NL Space Campus. As a region, we also need one large dataset in which we can interpret the impact of the campuses/knowledge economy on the regional economy.
Leiden Bio Science Park Objective.
Leiden Bio Science Park is a world-leading knowledge cluster defining the future of health. As an international hotspot and the largest in the Netherlands in the field of Life Science & Health, it makes an essential contribution to medical innovation, drug development, vaccine technology and the health of tomorrow. In this ecosystem, knowledge institutions of all levels (mbo, hbo, wo), governments and industry work together.
What we want to achieve: Strengthening the broader regional ecosystem by actively pursuing crossovers with other science parks and connecting satellite locations in the region as Leiden Bio Science Park. In doing so, the cluster contributes to the development of a robust, knowledge-intensive network with economic and social impact for the entire West Flank.
Objective NL Space Campus
NL Space Campus is an open innovation ecosystem in Noordwijk and an essential link in the Dutch and European space sector. The campus has emerged around ESA ESTEC, the technical heart of the European Space Agency, and is developing into the European hub for space innovation, business and talent development.
What we want to achieve: An (accelerated) further development of the NL Space Campus into the European leading space hub for innovation, business and talent development in space. Where innovative ideas are born, nurtured and marketed. And where talent is inspired and develops.
Objective Unmanned Valley
Unmanned Valley is an innovative field lab and development site for autonomous tech. It is located on the former naval airbase Valkenburg, where 5 hectares have been set aside for further development into a full-fledged tech park. The campus focuses on innovation acceleration, activity and high-quality employment. The development is part of administrative agreements with the province of South Holland, the State Property Company and the municipalities of Katwijk and Wassenaar.
What we want to achieve: A further development from Dutch top player to European top player in the field of unmanned and autonomous technology with establishment facilities, test facilities, software and event organization in the field of UAS technology (unmanned and autonomous technology).
