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Spatiotemporal Evolution of Makerspace Locations under Government, University, and Private-Enterprise Leadership: Spatial Mechanisms through the Innovation Helix Model
Author:WEN Jun, CHEN Liuyan, ZHANG Minggang, CAO Aozhuo, SHEN Ping, BI Linglan

Abstract: Makerspaces expanded rapidly under China’s “Mass Entrepreneurship and Innovation” initiative, but many now face closure, restructuring, or strategic repositioning. As collaboration among government, industry, universities, and research institutions becomes a central driver of regional innovation, examining makerspaces through the lens of their principal operators—government, universities, and private enterprises—is essential for strengthening regional innovation and developing new quality productive forces. Drawing on the innovation helix model and combining quantitative spatial analysis with qualitative interviews, this study investigates the spatiotemporal evolution of makerspaces in Chengdu, a major innovation hub. The findings show that government-led makerspaces have shifted from the urban core toward peripheral districts as their operation becomes more market-oriented and as outer districts seek innovation-driven growth. University-led makerspaces have expanded from locations near campuses to industrial development zones and government–university cooperation areas under the combined influence of internal demand for technology application and external government attraction policies. Privateenterprise-led makerspaces, driven by profitability and industrial policy, have become increasingly specialized by industry and have moved from policy-favored areas toward industrial development zones. Based on the clustering patterns and evolutionary challenges of the three types, the study proposes policy and planning recommendations to enhance regional innovation capacity.