Application of Living Lab Concept: Where, How and for What Is Being Used in Europe to Support Energy, Social and Environmental Transition

Alba Arias (), Claudia Pennese, Olatz Grijalba and Yousra Sidqi
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Alba Arias: Competence Center for Digital Energy and Electric Power, Lucerne University of Applied Sciences and Arts, Technikumstrasse 21, 6048 Horw, Switzerland
Claudia Pennese: CAVIAR Research Group, Department of Architecture, University of the Basque Country (UPV/EHU), Plaza Oñati 2, 20018 Donostia-San Sebastián, Spain
Olatz Grijalba: CAVIAR Research Group, Department of Architecture, University of the Basque Country (UPV/EHU), Plaza Oñati 2, 20018 Donostia-San Sebastián, Spain
Yousra Sidqi: Competence Center for Digital Energy and Electric Power, Lucerne University of Applied Sciences and Arts, Technikumstrasse 21, 6048 Horw, Switzerland

Sustainability, 2025, vol. 17, issue 6, 1-26

Abstract: Due to the current climate situation, it is necessary to apply new methods that support environmental, social, and energy challenges to respond to global emergencies. In this regard, Living Labs have increased their popularity as a strategic tool to promote innovation from the local level and proximity. This study aims to detect the patterns, trends, and coherence of the so-called Living Labs. For this purpose, a characterisation of Living Labs has been undertaken that focuses on energy, environmental, and social issues in Europe to support urban transition. It concludes that Living Labs do not have a single solution. They are highly influenced by the current European trends and promoted topics. They can be multi-dimensional (digital and physical), multi-scale (from small, such as the product, to large, such as the territory) and multi-purpose. It is determined that there is an absence of working in real-life environments and some of the Living Lab’s principles. Among the topics, the most common ones are social inclusion, environment, energy, health, and IoT. The implemented scale in a building and the product on the application scale are the most frequent ones. Urban Living Labs are identified as a niche opportunity because of their low current development.

Keywords: Living Lab; urban transition; user innovation; quadruple helix; real-life setting; co-creation (search for similar items in EconPapers)
JEL-codes: O13 Q Q0 Q2 Q3 Q5 Q56 (search for similar items in EconPapers)
Date: 2025
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