Introduction: Framing Living Labs in Large-Scale Social Housing Estates in Europe

Abstract

Today, Living Labs are increasingly promoted as innovative tools to deal with urban regeneration in Europe. In this contribution, we look at their potential in the context of the regeneration of large-scale social housing estates. Starting from the results of the research project SoHoLab (2017–2020) and building on the contributions of this book, we identify Living Labs as practices that are at the margin of key regeneration processes and actors but that nonetheless play an important, enabling role in triggering a more broadly supported approach to regeneration. We use the metaphor of the ‘interstice’ to identify Living Labs’ role of mediating across different social, institutional, disciplinary, departmental, and policy realms. Nevertheless, caution is warranted. Living Labs should not be considered the approach towards the urban regeneration of marginalized areas; their potential lies precisely in their hybrid and constantly transforming character. In order to steer regeneration practices and policies that are actually more inclusive, they should be accompanied by a critical and self-reflexive research attitude.

Towards Inquiry-Based Learning in Spatial Development and Heritage Conservation: A Workshop at Corviale, Rome

“…The Lab's location, near the market and a community of artists and craftspeople, also enabled direct relationships with inhabitants, facilitating exchanges with students and visitors. Aligning with other European experiences that operate in large scale social housing estate, it is not just a physical space but an "interstice" that works at the margin of the system it interacts with, activating relationships and connections [42]. In addition, in the context of the workshop, it has thus enabled students to move quickly from the experience of the Biennale to that of Corviale.…”

Collective Creativity and Complexity in Urban Laboratories: El Campo de Cebada

“…This involves reclaiming the 'right to the city' [2][3][4][5][6], where citizens can participate in the construction and management of urban spaces; designing collaboratively [7][8][9][10][11][12][13], including the diverse perspectives of all stakeholders; using urban laboratories [14][15][16][17][18][19][20][21][22][23] as experimental spaces that promote citizen participation, innovation, and co-creation; and harnessing the temporary use of spaces [24][25][26][27][28] as a reuse of abandoned or obsolete spaces to revitalise them and generate new opportunities.…”

Collective Creativity and Complexity in Urban Laboratories: El Campo de Cebada

“…This involves reclaiming the 'right to the city' [2][3][4][5][6], where citizens can participate in the construction and management of urban spaces; designing collaboratively [7][8][9][10][11][12][13], including the diverse perspectives of all stakeholders; using urban laboratories [14][15][16][17][18][19][20][21][22][23] as experimental spaces that promote citizen participation, innovation, and co-creation; and harnessing the temporary use of spaces [24][25][26][27][28] as a reuse of abandoned or obsolete spaces to revitalise them and generate new opportunities.…”