Social Encounter by Experiment? Potentials and Pitfalls of Real-World Labs for Urban Planning

Abstract

This article explores the potential of real-world labs (RWLs) and real-world experiments (RWEs) to be a fruitful addition to established approaches in urban planning in Germany. While transdisciplinary and transformative RWLs rooted in socio-ecological sustainability studies have become an important tool for experimenting with innovative solutions for environmental challenges in cities, RWLs aimed at improving social cohesion in neighbourhoods and fostering a communal life characterised by dialogue and solidarity are rare. To this latter aim, this article contributes with research experience from a transdisciplinary RWL on cooperative urban open space development seeking to foster social cohesion in super-diverse neighbourhoods in Germany. This article analyses the contradictory perceptions of the local stakeholders involved as regards the potentials of RWEs to be a meaningful addition to established planning practices. This article makes it clear that there is greater proximity between urban planning theory, practice, and RWEs than initially assumed. Nevertheless, RWEs have considerable potential as a positive complement to established approaches to urban planning and as a means of experimenting with open-ended encounter formats in neighbourhoods.

The Scaling Potential of Experimental Knowledge in the Case of the Bauhaus.MobilityLab, Erfurt (Germany)

“…Instead, new forms of urban planning have emerged that are reflexive, responsive, and spatially delineated (Karvonen, 2018). Yet, there is no clear understanding of the ultimate role that RWEs can or should play in urban planning (Räuchle, 2021a;Voytenko et al, 2016). Also, according to Karvonen and van Heur (2014), there are conflicts and overlaps between RWEs and urban planning.…”

“…Räuchle (2021a), Beecroft et al (2018), and ProClim (1997) distinguish three types of experimental knowledge: "knowledge about the urban context (system knowledge) and their own normative goals (target knowledge), [as well as] knowledge about how to achieve the set goals (transformation knowledge…)" (Räuchle, 2021a, p. 210). Thus, the knowledge produced in RWEs is of interest to urban planning (i.e., "system and target knowledge"; Räuchle, 2021a). "Transformation knowledge" may be used as an instrument in urban planning (Räuchle, 2021a).…”

“…Thus, the knowledge produced in RWEs is of interest to urban planning (i.e., "system and target knowledge"; Räuchle, 2021a). "Transformation knowledge" may be used as an instrument in urban planning (Räuchle, 2021a). Schäpke et al (2017, p. 210) add the concept of "actionable knowledge."…”

“…In practice, experimental knowledge in RWL is therefore characterised by repeated trial and error (Bulkeley et al, 2016;Kern & Haupt, 2021;Nesti, 2018;von Wirth et al, 2019;Wolfram & Frantzeskaki, 2016). At this point, it is important to note that the outcome of an RWE is "open," meaning that a successful RWE is not guaranteed (Räuchle, 2021a). Yet even failure may produce useful knowledge (Räuchle, 2021a).…”

“…At this point, it is important to note that the outcome of an RWE is "open," meaning that a successful RWE is not guaranteed (Räuchle, 2021a). Yet even failure may produce useful knowledge (Räuchle, 2021a).…”