Experiments and Beyond

Habitats and harbours for sustainability experimentation in the regions of Europe

“…In this Chapter we are specifically interested in replication. Replication is often conceptualised as the repetition and the reproduction of an experiment in a new context, such as a new city or country (Turnheim et al, 2018) In the current Chapter, we extend this reasoning by exploring whether these hot spots differ not only in the conditions enabling experimentation, but also in the pathways enabling the translocal diffusion of these innovations.…”

“…This diffusion process is critical for sustainability transitions to take place. It is supported through various mechanisms, such as scaling up (the innovation is expanding in geographical scope and duration), replication (the experiment with an innovation is repeated in a new context or location), circulation (the innovation is embedded in an ongoing transformation process of existing regimes, for instance, by generating noncontrolled flows of ideas) and institutionalisation (the innovation becomes part of regime structures); see Turnheim et al (2018). However, it is known that this diffusion is problematic (OECD and World Bank, 2014).…”

“…This implies that the full transition process is only partly analysed. • When analysing diffusion, we focus on the translocal diffusion of innovations, i.e., the repetition and reproduction of an experiment in a new context, such as a new city or country (Turnheim et al, 2018). • This research especially investigates the spatial context conditions.…”

“…• Two diffusion mechanisms are analysed: scaling up (i.e., expanding the geographical scope of the innovation) and replication (i.e., the experiment with an innovation is repeated in a new context or location). In this research, we did not explicitly analyse two other diffusion mechanisms as proposed by Turnheim et al (2018), i.e., circulation and institutionalisation. • In this research, it is important for us to obtain insights that are relevant to the practice of supporting sustainability experiments; thus, we include practical policy recommendations.…”

“…Transition theory has previously explored how these innovations emerge and diffuse, and how they may challenge existing regime structures towards a system change in the longer term (Geels and Raven, 2006). Diffusion is critical for sustainability transitions to take place and is supported through various mechanisms, such as scaling up, replication, circulation and institutionalisation (Turnheim et al, 2018). In this Chapter we are specifically interested in replication.…”