What are Living Labs?

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Our project uses Research-by-Design to co-develop nature-based solutions together with experts. Research-by-Design will happen during our Living Lab events, which are spaces where citizens, associations/action groups, parrains, scientists, designers, and researchers gather to exchange knowledge and co-produce tangible outputs. These outputs will be translated into policy options, which may be used to inform regeneration projects in the region. The Living Labs also serve as a platform for sharing project outcomes, engaging in learning activities, and linking science and citizens/stakeholders.

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You can read the outcomes of Living Lab 1 here. 

 

Structure of Living Lab 2

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We will begin by briefly (re)introducing our project and sharing some of the work we've done in the last year. Then, we're excited to share the outcome of our Sci-Fi Prototyping Workshop, in which we challenged residents of Brussels to use their imagination to write a story about the future of nature in the region. (Curious? You can already learn more about this workshop here!)

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In this Living Lab, we will focus on using nature-based solutions to regenerate three case study sites around the Brussels Capital Region. You will be divided into three groups, with one group dedicated to each case study site. Groups will be made up of a diverse mix of designers, architects, researchers, practitioners, policymakers, representatives from civil society etc. Each group will be presented with a proposed redesign scenario of their case study site, in which nature-based solutions have been used to address site-specific challenges.

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Your task will be to identify how well the proposed redesign does or does not meet the specific needs of the case study site. Then, together with your team, you will adjust the proposed redesign, based on the knowledge you and your group bring together. You will do this through five main tasks:

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• Task 1: Identification of the challenges and desired future of the case study area

• Task 2: Development of a 1 sentence ambition of the case study area 

• Task 3: Discussion of the proposed redesign scenarios

• Task 4: Radical rethinking of the proposed redesigns scenarios

• Task 5: Development of final redesign scenarios for case study areas

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Once these tasks have been completed, we will come together to discuss each group's final redesign scenario along with the main takeaways from the day. 

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