Developing science, technology, and innovation indicators for comparing European cities : an exploratory analysis and feasibility study

This report explores the development of Science, Technology, and Innovation (STI) indicators for comparing European cities, addressing challenges such as data scarcity and the need for consistent spatial definitions like Local Administrative Units (LAUs) and Functional Urban Areas (FUAs). It uses the Regional Innovation Scoreboard (RIS) as a foundation, introducing a system of nine Technical Readiness Levels (TRLs) to assess potential city-level indicators, and presents a case study on research publication output across 69 large European cities. The study recommends a two-phase approach for further development, involving targeted pilot testing and strategic scaling through advanced analytics and collaboration to enhance data harmonization and support comprehensive STI indicator development.