IDEAN sectors advance creative spaces. In addition to their role of promoting communication, trade and exchange, and the experience of differences, open spaces serve as active generators of creativity and innovation. A distinct balance of participation, accessibility, and heterogeneity is used to catalyse new opportunities. Small ‚accidents‘ and spontaneous mutations, bumping into strangers, and unanticipated surprises play an important role by generating opportunities for open innovation. As a consequence IDEAN‘s open spaces serve as laboratories for social, cultural, economic, and ecologic improvement.