Jennifer Mason

Patents in Rustbelt, USA: Analyzing the Innovation Mix in American Rustbelt Cities and the Relationship between Population Change and Innovativeness Using Patents

Shrinking and declining cities have been a topic of interest for researchers for the past fifty years because of the impact changing socio-economic conditions have on residents, businesses, government and other interest groups. The Rustbelt of the United States is a region known for the presence of declining and shrinking cities. Similarly, a literature exists suggesting that innovation is a centerpiece of regional economic health and growth. However, there have been surprisingly few studies examining the relationship between innovation and decline. This study will use patent data to analyze innovations in American Rustbelt cities and their relationship to population change and unemployment. A case study on Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania suggests a weak relationship exists between the mix of patents present in a region and other socio-economic variables. Overall, the patent mix in the nine study cities displayed patterns suggesting innovation tied to the declining industries also declines.