1 ABSTRACT Today there is a need for more accessible, habitable, economically, and socially sustainable urban areas. Despite rapid urbanization and globalization, the metropolitan areas have exploded and become heterogeneous in such a manner that it has become challenging to comprehend a holistic and homogenous solution. Currently, metropolitan areas are under tremendous pressure for smart development on the one hand, and on the other hand, basic development needs dealing with population and

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... ironment more seriously is a high priority for enhancing the basic livelihood of marginalized areas and their dwellers. Therefore, it is essential to take both the aspects together. Hence, an inclusive methodology can be suggested in the form of a balanced development policy on innovation zones. To best conceptualize the inclusive approach, the concept of Ekistics i.e., the study of human settlements and its elements, has been incorporated, an idea formulated by C. A. Doxiadis. The concept explains the examination of both local expression and specific smart or higher development prerequisites, in the form of Ekistics elements which are nature, human, society, shell, and network. Initially, the paper forwards a summary of extensive theoretical research to position the Ekistics prerequisites for developing the inclusive methodology. The paper subsequently highlights how the smart development can be perceived in parallel with the expansion and networking along with a focus on nature, human, society, shell, and network in local areas. This needs for an induction of a metropolitan approach with the distribution of innovation zones to balance both sides of the opportunities and potentials. The case of Kolkata Metropolitan Area has been taken. Finally, the paper assesses the elements and their constituent indicators and attempts to analyze the potential clusters of possible innovation zones through cluster analysis. Thus, the paper provides a basis for the study of prerequisites of development of urban innovation zones (IZ) in context of the metropolitan area.