Innovations are tested in live environments—such as retrofits, new builds, or urban redevelopment—providing valuable data, feedback, and performance insights.
Ideas, data, and methodologies are shared openly to foster transparency, cross-disciplinary learning, and rapid iteration, enabling breakthroughs that no single organization could achieve alone.
“Living Labs are dynamic, open innovation ecosystems where innovation unfolds in real-life, operational environments...they integrate research and innovation activities across communities, involving citizens and end-users at the centre of the innovation process... creat(ing) solutions that are deeply rooted in real-world needs.
Living Labs are particularly well-suited for addressing “wicked problems”—complex and multifaceted challenges that are difficult to define...includ(ing) climate change, urbanisation, and social inequality, among others... Through their multi-stakeholder and user-centred design, Living Labs offer a structured environment for tackling such challenges in a way that integrates diverse perspectives and adapts to evolving needs”