Fernández-Pacheco Sáez, J L; Rasskin-Gutman, I; Martín-Bermúdez, N and Pérez-del-Campo, A (2026) Living knowledge labs: Creating community and inclusive nature-based solutions. Buildings & Cities, 7(1), pp. 58-74. ISSN 2632-6655
Abstract
Living knowledge labs (LKLs) serve as a strategic tool for co-creation and experimentation, fostering the active participation of diverse stakeholders, including communities, local administrations, associations and researchers. Rooted in the Quadruple Helix model of innovation, LKLs facilitate collaboration between stakeholders, promoting knowledge exchange, active learning and innovative solutions. The initial findings are presented from a case study into the transformative potential of LKLs in addressing sustainability challenges, emphasising participatory governance, social–ecological dynamics and social innovation. This case examines a decentralised composting LKL in Cáceres, Extremadura (Spain) as an innovative space for participatory organic waste management, circular economy practices and community empowerment. Individual and collective attitudes that shape composting behaviours were analysed and reveal the motivations and barriers at structural, collective and individual levels.
| Item Type: | Article |
|---|---|
| Uncontrolled Keywords: | agency; circular economy; community empowerment; living knowledge labs; living labs; nature-based solutions; participatory action research |
| Index terms: | dynamics, knowledge exchange, circular economy, nature-based solution, co-creation, Spain, waste management, social innovation, collaboration, governance, sustainability challenge, experiment, action research, active learning, agency, motivation, circular economy practices, empowerment, case study |
| Subjects: | knowledge management, management, sociology, Geography, sustainable design, systems engineering, psychology, waste management, communities and social development, data collection methods, environmental issues, biodiversity, business, design process, learning methods |
| Topics: | Stakeholder Management, Sustainability, Human Resources, Research Practice, Organizational Design, Design Practice, Engineering Principles, Governance, Geographical Context, Education, Information Management |
| Descriptive scope: | 4 PCTE |
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