As one of five external programmes, JPI Urban Europe was invited to organise two sessions at the URBACT City Festival which took place on 6-8 of May in Riga. The aim of the sessions were to present the experiences of city administrators in JPI Urban Europe projects in Rihiimäki and Malmö with a clear focus on the living lab approach. The sessions also underlined the relevance of the co-creative approach and the need to connect to city representatives. For the JPI Urban Europe it was a great opportunity presenting JPI Urban Europe funded projects working with living labs.
Ilari Seitsonen from the city of Rihiimäki talked about his experience in the project SUBURBANLAB. This project contributes to the holistic redevelopment of Peltosaari, a 70’s suburb in the city centre. Urban Living lab methods are developed in order to engage residents and other stakeholders in creating innovative urban solutions with the focus on energy use, decision making and activating residents.
Christina Olofsson from the City of Malmö presented experiences from the JPI Urban Europe funded project Urb@Exp and answered questions from the audience. Malmö has a long tradition of smart sustainable city development. In collaboration with industry, academia, NGO’s and citizens an innovation platform has been created to find new and innovative solutions to city challenges related to environmental and social sustainability. Through the innovation platform the city has made a long term strategic commitment to work with smart sustainable renovation of existing post war city districts and at the same time trying find models to create job opportunities and empower the citizens in these areas.
photo by URBACT