What is a Living Lab?
A Living Lab is a laboratory space that functions as an open innovation environment. His focus is on real communities and environments, as well as the people who make up or use them. Its main objective is to transform the environment through processes of collaboration and collective participation.
In general, this type of initiative is coordinated by a public-private association made up of local companies, the public administration, universities and citizens, which is known as a “quadruple helix”. These agents work together in the collective generation of technologies, services and values that are tested and implemented to carry out a significant transformation in the environment.
What role does citizenship play in a Living Lab?
In a Living Lab, citizens play a fundamental role as agents of strategic change. The objective is to achieve the transformation of the environment to improve the quality of life on a day-to-day basis. The focus lies in meeting the needs and experiences of citizens, since they are the key to promoting closer and more sustainable urban environments.
To address these needs and experiences, the joint creation of transformative projects is promoted. The citizens, the local administration, local companies and universities actively participate in this process. Each one of these actors contributes with resources, support, products, services and/or innovative knowledge, in order to develop solutions that satisfy the demands of the community.
Rochapea Living Lab: Positive Energy Neighbourhood
Each Living Lab has its specific goals and challenges. In the case of Rochapea, the main objective is to turn the environment into a Positive Energy Neighbourhood. The challenges include achieving energy autonomy, socioeconomic regeneration, reducing consumption and improving the quality of life. It seeks to share knowledge and understand the relationships between spaces, people and the activities that take place in them.
More information: Living Lab Pamplona
