The rapid evolution of university science parks across China is reshaping the nation’s innovation landscape, reflecting a complex interplay of several driving factors that collectively fuel their growth and success. Rooted deeply in the principles of evolutionary economic geography, these parks are not isolated entities but dynamic ecosystems influenced by university spin-offs, local institutions, path dependence, agglomeration effects, regional economic development, and the financing environment. Understanding these multifaceted drivers reveals how China’s unique socio-economic tapestry fosters cutting-edge innovation hubs that contribute significantly to both regional and national development.
At the heart of this development is the critical role played by university spin-offs. University science parks largely rely on the intellectual capital and scientific resources of their host institutions. These parks act as conduits, transforming theoretical knowledge into commercial ventures by providing vital infrastructure, facilitating technology transfer, and aiding in access to finance. The spatial distribution of Chinese university science parks is closely coupled with that of major universities, particularly those designated under Project 211, a government initiative to bolster top-tier higher education since 1995. Approximately 80% of these parks are located near Project 211 universities, underscoring the indispensable role of academic excellence in catalyzing innovation spillovers into the commercial sector. This symbiotic relationship not only nurtures new enterprises but also fortifies the triadic collaboration model among universities, industries, and research institutes.
Furthermore, the proliferation of subparks constructed by flagship university science parks exemplifies the diffusion of knowledge, technology, and managerial best practices. Tsinghua University Science Park, for example, has extended its footprint beyond Beijing into multiple cities, including Shanghai and Xi’an, establishing a network that exports technological expertise and entrepreneurial talent across regions. This decentralized growth fosters a broader distribution of innovation capacity, thereby mitigating regional disparities and creating a more balanced innovation ecosystem nationwide.
Equally important is the path-dependent nature of industrial development in university science parks, which aligns with the existing technological and industrial strengths of their regions. Technological relatedness—the degree to which the scientific disciplines of a university correspond with the dominant local industries—enhances the likelihood of successful industrial transformation. This phenomenon is vividly exemplified by Liaoning Province, where the industrial sector is heavily weighted towards equipment manufacturing, petrochemicals, and metallurgy. Consequently, the Northeastern University Science Park in Liaoning focuses on related fields like mechanical engineering and material science, reinforcing the mutually supportive relationship between the region’s industrial heritage and academic strengths and facilitating efficient technology commercialization.
Agglomeration effects further amplify these parks’ productivity. Cities hosting multiple university science parks benefit from intensified knowledge exchange, human resource sharing, and collaborative innovation. The phenomenon fosters an environment where enterprises and research institutions create new routines, accelerate knowledge flows, and generate spillover effects that benefit the entire regional economy. Zhongguancun in Beijing epitomizes such an innovation cluster, with its concentration of 26 university science parks, over 100 state-level laboratories, and more than 200 national research institutes. This critical mass leads to the formation of robust industrial clusters in cutting-edge sectors such as next-generation internet technology, biotechnology, and environmental protection, yielding exceptionally high land output values and economic returns.
Institutionally, local governments exert substantial influence on the development trajectories of university science parks. Policy frameworks, infrastructural investments, and land development rights play pivotal roles. Data from the China Torch Statistical Yearbook highlight that government participation often correlates with larger scale park construction, suggesting that state involvement provides essential resources and infrastructure that catalyze growth. However, this involvement also requires careful balancing of responsibilities and authority to prevent inefficiencies or mismatched governance that could hinder park development.
China’s national approach to university science parks diverges fundamentally from traditional economic incentive models, such as those employed in Special Economic Zones. Rather than focusing predominantly on export-oriented industrialization via tax breaks and land concessions, university science parks embrace an endogenous growth model. The focus lies on nurturing innovation ecosystems, where targeted subsidies and fiscal incentives are designed to foster university-led startups and knowledge-intensive enterprises. This paradigm shift underscores China’s strategic prioritization of sustainable, innovation-driven economic transformation, emphasizing quality over mere quantity of output.
Another defining feature shaping the growth of university science parks is the uneven regional economic development across China. Provinces such as Zhejiang, Jiangsu, Shanghai, and Beijing, characterized by advanced economic structures and vibrant markets, have emerged as leaders in incubating high-performing science parks. Economic prosperity in these regions translates into stronger market demand, more robust public infrastructure, and richer pools of skilled labor—all critical factors that enhance the parks’ innovation capacities. Conversely, less developed regions, with lower economic baselines, face challenges in attracting investments and fostering sustainable park growth, pointing to the crucial role of broader regional economic policies in leveling the playing field.
Financing remains a perennial hurdle for small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs) situated in university science parks. The parks act as collaborative platforms where universities, governments, and enterprises work together to provide initial funding and resource support. This tripartite cooperation helps alleviate the typical capital constraints SMEs face, enabling more enterprises to cross the critical startup phase. Analysis of funding data underscores the disparities in financial support: Beijing, Jiangsu, and Shanghai lead with billions of yuan in startup funds, while provinces such as Shanxi and Ningxia receive dramatically less, correlating with the performance disparities among their respective parks.
Crucially, the driving forces behind university science park development do not operate in isolation but interact dynamically, creating complex feedback loops that shape park evolution. University spin-offs, regional institutional policies, and the financing environment collectively compose the foundational framework that shapes industrial trajectories in these parks. Technological alignment between universities and local industries ensures higher conversion rates of scientific achievements into industrial innovations, supported by policies tailored to leverage these strengths. Local governments design targeted incentive frameworks aimed at optimizing industrial clusters, enhancing regional brands, and strengthening overall economic competitiveness.
This interdependence highlights the necessity for policymakers and stakeholders to adopt a holistic, systems-thinking approach when fostering university science parks. Changes in any given driver—whether shifts in funding availability, alterations in institutional policies, or economic adjustments—ripple throughout the entire innovation landscape. Consequently, adaptive governance that continuously monitors and responds to evolving dynamics will be essential in sustaining the vitality and relevance of university science parks as engines of knowledge-based economic growth.
The evolution of university science parks in China thus represents not merely a physical concentration of high-tech ventures but a sophisticated orchestration of intellectual, institutional, economic, and geographical factors. Their success hinges on a delicate balance between leveraging existing university strengths, aligning with regional industrial ecosystems, harnessing the collective benefits of agglomeration, and integrating proactive policy support with sustainable financial mechanisms. Together, these elements compose a resilient and innovative platform supporting China’s broader ambitions to emerge as a global leader in science and technology innovation.
In examining these trends, it is apparent that university science parks serve as strategic focal points for China’s transition from an investment-driven economy to one that prizes innovation and entrepreneurship. By nurturing cutting-edge technologies and facilitating robust collaboration between academia and industry, these parks contribute significantly to technological upgrading, industrial diversification, and regional economic convergence. This multifaceted development model offers vital lessons for policymakers worldwide seeking to harness localized innovation ecosystems to stimulate knowledge-driven growth.
Looking ahead, enhancing the adaptability and integration of university science parks within regional innovation systems will be critical. Strengthening mechanisms for knowledge exchange, improving funding efficiency, and fostering inclusive policy frameworks that consider varied regional contexts will enable these parks to continue serving as fertile grounds for entrepreneurship and technological breakthroughs. As China’s innovation landscape evolves, university science parks are poised to remain pivotal catalysts driving forward the nation’s high-quality economic transformation and technological leadership globally.
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Zhu, Y., Cheng, Z. What drives the development of university science parks in China: from the perspective of evolutionary economic geography. Humanit Soc Sci Commun 12, 1488 (2025). https://doi.org/10.1057/s41599-025-05839-z
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Keywords: university science parks, evolutionary economic geography, innovation ecosystems, regional development, China, university-industry collaboration, agglomeration effects, path dependence, financing environment
