Urban Living Labs

This volume compiles insights from international researchers to evaluate urban living labs, exploring their design and governance. It aims to enhance sustainability transitions by analyzing their effectiveness and potential for transformative change.

Urban Living Labs brings together prominent international researchers to explore the design, practices, and processes of urban living labs within a systematic comparative framework. These living labs serve as experimental environments where innovative social and technical solutions are tested in real-time, addressing the pressing challenges cities face in achieving economic prosperity, social cohesion, and environmental sustainability.

As urban living labs rapidly proliferate worldwide, they offer a collaborative platform for public and private entities to experiment with innovations in various sectors, including buildings, transportation, and energy systems. However, despite the ongoing experimentation, there is a notable gap in systematic learning and international comparisons regarding their impacts and effectiveness. This book aims to fill that gap by providing insights into how urban living labs can be better governed and designed to foster sustainability transitions.

The volume emphasizes the need for a deeper understanding of best practices to effectively scale successful initiatives and achieve transformative change. By evaluating the potential and limitations of urban living labs, the book seeks to inform and advance the governance of urban sustainability. Through its comprehensive analysis, Urban Living Labs offers valuable perspectives on improving the design and implementation of these labs, ultimately contributing to their success in promoting sustainable urban development.