Influence of Science, Technology and Innovation on Urban Sustainability

Cities are the centre of productive activity, which can be driven by investment in science, technology and innovation (STI) to improve growth, sustainable development, well-being and quality of life. This chapter seeks to describe the main trends in STI in some cities in Latin America and determine their relationship with economic performance. This chapter analyses three Latin American cities (Santiago de Chile, Mexico City and Bogotá); these cities have been recognized for their STI processes and economic performance in the region. The results indicate that cities with greater intensity of STI have greater economic growth, which also improves some social processes and increases benefits to the population. The scientific activities that articulate universities, the production sector and public research institutions converge with the better appropriation and use of technologies, which contribute to improving the performance of the city in general. In this context, it is important to promote policies based on STI requirements that allow for the promotion of smart cities and knowledge societies in the region as key elements of sustainable development, economic growth and social welfare based on the third and fourth helix approaches, which are successful models in developed countries, adapted to regional problems.