The Role of Knowledge Workers in Knowledge-Based Development in Esfahan, Iran

Purpose- This paper aims to contribute to ongoing knowledge-based urban development(KBUD) and KBUD-related discussions that are becoming more popular in the academic and professional literature around the world, but not in Iran yet. The focus will be on human capital, and It also emphasizes knowledge work and knowledge workers as vital parts of a new emergent economy. The paper seeks to investigate the role that the knowledge workers play in knowledge economy and knowledge-based urban development. The specific focus of the study is therefore "the ways of attracting and retaining knowledge and innovative workers in the knowledge economy by addressing their needs and desires in the contemporary urban context". The paper also aims at studying the changing spatial nature of knowledge cities in order to respond to these new requirements. It also surveys the potentials and constraints of Esfahan from the point of view of human capital, to become a knowledge city. Methodology- The paper reviews the current literature on recent developments in cities, under the name of KBUD, with particular concentration on the role of talented and creative work force. The knowledge-based urban strategies for making spatial changes in cities due to needs of knowledge workers will be discussed. The methodology develops a comprehensive investigation and searches for useful ideas for formulating better urban planning strategies. The study will focus on the case of Esfahan for representing urban planning suggestions. Originality/Value-The paper provides an in-depth discussion on the essence of addressing knowledge workers needs in formulating strategies for knowledge-based urban development. This research is unique because the urban planners in Iran have not shown special interest in knowledge-based urban development yet. Practical Implications-The paper sheds light on the changing spatial concepts of urban planning in knowledge cities. It also prepare a set of strategies for Esfahan to attract talent and creativity in order to gain an acceptable position in the knowledge economy.