Mapping the Global Shifts in Urban Innovation (UI): Empirical Insights from the Guangzhou International Award Database

Urban innovation, crucial in response to the complex sustainability challenges yet underexplored, intertwines with urban practices, historically linked primarily to technological advancements or community reform. However, broader conceptual scopes have been advocated for in urban innovation. This study offers comprehensive empirical insights by analyzing 1,528 urban innovation cases from 2012 to 2022, utilizing the Guangzhou International Award for Urban Innovation (GIAUI) database through topic modeling and case study methods. The result shows that urban innovation practices cover 38 topics across 4 fields, with key focuses on social governance, urban planning, environmental management, and smart cities. Innovation priorities vary by development stage, with higher-HDI (Human Development Index) regions emphasizing smart cities, medium-HDI regions focusing on social inclusion, and lower-HDI regions prioritizing infrastructure and public health. Notably, granular analysis of cases from lower level HDI levels reveals the Global South's immense potential for holistic, socially attuned innovations firmly embedded in local contexts. These innovations demonstrate pathways to sustainability that are both resource-efficient and culturally responsive, offering pragmatic solutions without demanding radical lifestyle changes or hefty investment. The study highlights the entire global community of cities' shared stakes and roles in spreading sustainable urban innovation.