LiLa4Green
Created on 03-06-2022 | Updated on 08-06-2022
LiLa4Green is a research project that aims at the participatory creation and implementation of nature-based solutions in densely built neighbourhoods in Vienna. The project is an innovative, transferable example of successfully communicating a contemporary complex issue in an approachable and inclusive way from experts to non-experts and at a later stage, reversely. Hence, its importance lies not only to its transferability to neighbourhoods of similar characteristics to improve their microclimatic conditions, but most significantly to the transferability of its innovative methodological approach in reaching out, motivating and activating citizens of diverse characteristics to understand critical complex urban issues and co-create solutions that might be otherwise overlooked due to lack of awareness and ownership.
The project is developed by an interdisciplinary consortium and its main objective is to bring together experts and residents to address the issue of climate change collectively. Its vision moves beyond climate-resilient considerations to embracing social ones, such as improving quality of life, raising local awareness and achieving acceptance. To this, a Living Lab (LL) approach is employed to engage citizens, stakeholders and decision-makers in the co-creation and implementation of the green solutions.
Tested in two neighbourhoods in Vienna, the project is targeted on spatially and socially priority residential areas, characterised by lack of open public space and green areas, dominance of car traffic and disadvantaged living conditions. Through a mixture of methodologies, LiLa4Green demonstrates an innovative social-scientific approach that enables user participation facilitated in an inclusive and flexible way that adapts to the social and urban context.
Initiating entity
Austrian Institute of Technology (AIT)
Objective/vision/agenda
Smart user participation for the implementation of climate- and social-resilient solutions in priority residential neighbourhoods
Educational/participation methods
Scientific Analysis, Urban Living Lab, Green Workshops, On site activities
Urban context and/or policy framework/network
Environmentally and socially priority neighbourhoods / funded by the Climate and Energy Fund and implemented under the "SMART CITIES - FIT for SET" program.
Scale/Location
Neighbourhood Scale, “Quellenstraße Ost” and ‘Kreta’ neighbourhoods in Vienna
Status/Runtime
Completed / 2018-2021
Duration & pace
3 years
Stakeholders & Partnerships
esearch consortium (Austrian Institute of Technology, Technical University of Vienna, Weatherpark, PlanSinn, GRÜNSTATTGRAU and GREX IT), citizens, local stakeholders
Selected option
Neighbourhood Scale Activity/Event Participatory Project
Description
Challenge and Context
Over the last decades, international and national environmental policies are targeted to counteract the impact of the emerging climate change, driving many cities around the globe to strategically plan to adapt their urban environment. On a local level, targeted solutions play a catalytic role on the urban microclimate, especially in densely built areas lacking green. Such nature-based solutions as well as comprehensive green and blue infrastructure strategies can counteract the effects of the upward of temperature and provide resilience to cities and inhabitants (Roehr & Laurenz, 2008). However, their implementation and maintenance is confronted with many challenges, such as administrative limitations and lack of awareness or acceptance by the local stakeholders and residents (Hagen et al., 2021; Tötzer et al., 2019).
Working to address this challenge in a holistic manner, the LiLa4Green project, as part of the Smart Cities Initiative, aims to foster the implementation of nature-based solutions in the city of Vienna, by integrating a LL approach that focuses on social innovation and knowledge-sharing. The main goals of the project include the collaborative identification of challenges and potentials, the implementation of co-created solutions in the streetscape and the visualisation of the effects of potential solutions in a creative way to raise awareness and activate participants (Hagen et al., 2021).
The project is funded by the Climate and Energy Fund and is carried out by an interdisciplinary consortium consisting of research, academic and community partners. The project is tested in two residential neighbourhoods, ‘Quellenstraße Ost’ in the 10th district and ‘Kreta’ in the 14th district of Vienna. Both neighbourhoods are characterised by dense urban structure and deficiency in open public and green space, while the local population consists predominantly of young, immigrant groups of low levels of income and education and a high unemployment rate (Hagen et al., 2019).
Methodological Approach
Methodologically, the project is elaborated in two parts. The first refers to a scientific approach conducted by the research consortium. This initiated with the open space and microclimatic analysis of the areas, the results of which were seen in context with the climate of the whole city, concluding to the areas’ characterisation. Focusing on the example of first area, a demarcation as ‘vulnerable with respect to densification’ (Tötzer et al., 2019, p. 3) reflects the high density and bioclimatic stress of the neighbourhood. This analytical process offered valuable insights in identifying priority spots, i.e., small-scale heat islands, and was followed by discussion on greening potentials and recommendations corresponding to the areas’ needs and characteristics.
In parallel, a participatory process was initiated in the focus areas to foster the scientific findings with the experience embedded in the residents and local stakeholders with regards to the most problematic locations in the neighbourhood. At the same time, through the establishment of the LL as an alternative to top-down city planning strategies, the role of the residents and stakeholders was elevated from feedback-providers to co-creators.
Towards this direction, the LL investigated ways to raise public awareness on mitigation and adaptation measures to climate change and ensure a broad acceptance for the green-blue infrastructure among the general public, through designing and testing multiple and diverse smart user participation and visualisation methods. A combination of innovative methods of social science with the latest digital technology was put forward to facilitate the dissemination of information of the diverse functionalities of green and free spaces, testing also new methods of visualisation of the effects, such as Augmented and Virtual Reality, for more informed decisions (www.lila4green.at). Focusing further on the ‘visibility’ and ‘traceability’ (Hagen et al., 2021, p. 393) of the added value of the potential interventions, the monitoring phase included a combination of measurements, simulations and surveys, while in the assessment phase, innovative tools such as crowdsourcing and maps were employed to correlate multiple measurements such as costs and maintenance requirements.
Activities
The innovative methodology was tested in practice in a range of different activities organised by the LL that opened the research to citizens and stakeholders in an interactive format. The participatory process initiated with the LiLa4Green research-team coming together to design the participatory process, select the most suitable methods and strategies (LL) and set the context of the LL-process. The operation of the LL kicked-off with the ‘Start Workshop’, a knowledge-gathering meeting among the research team and the relevant stakeholders (representatives of municipal agencies and local institutions), which focused on the discussion of constrains, potentials within the project area and mutual benefits.
This introductory event was followed by the four cornerstones of the project, namely the ‘Green Workshops’ (GWs) that took place every 6 months and involved the research-team, stakeholders and the citizens. In preparation of each of these four events, a set of activities was organised on site, related to the objectives of the foregoing events, as well as the results of the previous ones. These activities were assembled earlier as a pool of collected and filtered participatory methods that could suit and adapt to each stage. For instance, before the first Green Workshop that focused on ‘sharing information, building mutual understanding and establishing social connections’ (Tötzer et al., 2019, p. 5), the research-team conducted on site activation activities which included the creation of a temporary space for conversations using pictures, signs and questions to approach the people passing by, also engaging them through game-like activities of mapping and voting.
The first workshop started and concluded with the dissemination of the same survey, aiming to record the changes in the perception of participants on the topic and hence the success of the workshop in the transfer of knowledge. The workshop was organised into two parts that differentiated on the flow of knowledge from the research group to the participants and reversely, using posters, a memory set and a flyer as tools for communication.
Taking on the feedback from the first workshop, the second focused on the realisation of the first urban intervention, a parklet, that was developed as a student project at intended design studios at the TU Wien and democratically selected by the participants of the LL. In the second part, a smart interaction tool was set up and tested visualisations of potential greening interventions through an AR technology, enabling user feedback through the tool.
Having built trust between the participants and the research team, the third workshop aimed at the identification of potentials in the open space through gamification. The participants designed adaptation activities to respond to the scientifically identified conditions and further grounded their decisions to real restrictions, such as budget. In the same workshop, participants tested the AR tool that was further developed by the research-team according to the feedback from the second workshop.
Finally, the fourth workshop related to the collective implementation of developed ideas. Due to the pandemic outbreak the workshop was transferred in a digital format and the results were eventually implemented in the summer 2020.
Communication and Sharing Experience
Parallel to the workshops and activities, the consortium gave a great value in the communication and dissemination of LiLa4Green within and outside the focus areas, organising a frequent newsletter and an Explain Video to attract and maintain participants’ motivation, surveys and questionnaires to incorporate the feedback for the next stages, as well as a website to share experiences. Furthermore, the team composed a brochure titled ‘In 5 Schritten Zum Guten Klima MIT LILA4GREEN’ (LiLa4Green, n.d.) to summarise the smart participation methodology in five steps: 1. Prepare the ground & initiate the process, 2. Share knowledge & learn together, 3. Decide & create trust, 4. Designing the future in a playful way, 5. Specify and implement together. Lastly, aiming to open the embedded knowledge and experiences with the scientific community, the research-team is active in conferences, presentations, lectures and journals.
Alignment with project research areas
Lila4Green demonstrates a significant relevance with RE-DWELL’s transdisciplinary research as it brings together three areas in a holistic vision: climate research and resilient design, community participation and innovation. At the same time, the project’s location in residential neighbourhoods of disadvantaged urban and social characteristics is in line with the overarching vision of addressing contemporary urban issues of affordability and sustainability with a specific focus on neighbourhoods and populations that are at risk of vulnerability (category vulnerable groups).
In particular, the case study aligns substantially with the area of Community Participation due to its participatory methodology, as well as with the area of Design, Planning and Building, due to its scope of implementing green solutions at the neighbourhood scale to counteract the effects of climate change. In a second level, as a nationally funded project that is also part of an international network of knowledge-sharing, there is also an important relation to the area of Policy and financing (categories Governance, market and financing and Social housing policies).
Within the broader areas of research, three major categories – and related to them extensions - best reflect the LiLa4Green project. The first is transient and digital societies that refers to the involvement of physical and digital infrastructure and spaces for urban innovation and knowledge sharing such as the Urban Living Labs, as drivers of social and urban change. Through the Living Lab approach and the interweaving of diverse tools and methods to activate and engage the residents and stakeholders in the co-creation process, the project expands its limits to the spectrum of inclusive design, community planning and co-design. The second main category is that of green building, that aims at implementing designs to achieve environmental sustainability. Nature-based solutions as well as green and blue infrastructure that are developed and tested during the LiLa4Green project, are successful examples of these designs. As an extension, the project relates to the categories of sustainable planning and urban regeneration. Lastly, the third category is the innovation procurement, as well as housing design education as they relate to the LL’s pillars as an innovation and knowledge-sharing space.
Alignment with SDGs
Although LiLa4Green has not explicitly associated its targets to the Sustainable Development Goals, several alignments can be drawn with specific goals and targets. Below they are presented according to their relation to the project:
Goal 11. Sustainable cities and communities | Targets:
11.3 By 2030, enhance inclusive and sustainable urbanization and capacity for participatory, integrated and sustainable human settlement planning and management in all countries.
11.6 By 2030, reduce the adverse per capita environmental impact of cities, including by paying special attention to air quality and municipal and other waste management.
11.7 By 2030, provide universal access to safe, inclusive and accessible, green and public spaces, in particular for women and children, older persons and persons with disabilities.
This goal and selected the targets reflect the project’s overarching goal to achieve environmental and social sustainability in the test neighbourhoods, through a participatory approach that aims at creating a healthy neighbourhood, improving the quality of life and safeguarding the residents’ access to open green spaces.
Goal 13. Climate Action | Target 13.3 Improve education, awareness-raising and human and institutional capacity on climate change mitigation, adaptation, impact reduction and early warning.
This target is very representative of LiLa4Green’s main goal to raise awareness and co-create nature-based solutions and green and blue infrastructure in priority neighbourhoods that are mostly affected by the impact of climate crisis and the urban heat wave.
Goal 16. Peace, justice and strong institutions | Target 16.7 Ensure responsive, inclusive, participatory and representative decision-making at all levels.
The target is addressed in the neighbourhood scale through the implementation of a participatory methodology that engages all relevant stakeholders in the co-creation and decision-making processes.
Goal 4. Quality education | Target 4.7 By 2030, ensure that all learners acquire the knowledge and skills needed to promote sustainable development, including, among others, through education for sustainable development and sustainable lifestyles, human rights, gender equality, promotion of a culture of peace and non-violence, global citizenship and appreciation of cultural diversity and of culture’s contribution to sustainable development.
The LiLa4Green Living Lab served as a space of creative knowledge sharing on sustainability challenges and solutions through raising awareness and activating the residents and local stakeholders. The initiation of the project by an interdisciplinary research consortium that involved research and academic institutions plays a significant role in addressing this target.
Goal 9. Industry, innovation and infrastructure
Innovation is one of the project’s pillars, also in relation to it being part of a Smart Citizens Initiative.
Goal 6. Clean water and sanitation | Targets:
6.5 By 2030, implement integrated water resources management at all levels, including through transboundary cooperation as appropriate.
6.b Support and strengthen the participation of local communities in improving water and sanitation management.
The selected targets are reflected in LiLa4Green’s blue infrastructure projects implemented in the neighbourhood, as well as in the engagement of local communities in the water management.
The project further relates indirectly to the Goals 1. No poverty, 3. Good health and well-being, 7. Affordable and clean energy, 8. Decent work and economic growth, 10. Reduce inequalities, 12. Responsible consumption and production, 17. Partnerships for the goals
References
Hagen, K., Gasienica-Wawrytko, B., Meinharter, E., Brossmann, J., Matejka, V., Ratheiser, M., Gepp, W., Erian, P., & Tötzer, T. (2019). LiLa4Green, Begleitendes Living Lab für die Realisierung von grünblauen Infrastrukturmaßnahmen in der Smart City Wien, Bericht zur Potentialanalyse. https://smartcities.at/projects/lila4green/
Hagen, K., Tötzer, T., Meinharter, E., Millinger, D., Ratheiser, M., & Formanek, S. (2021). How to Make Existing Urban Structures Climate-Resilient? REAL CORP 2021: CITIES 20.50 Creating Habitats for the 3rd Millennium – Vienna, Austria, September, 393–402.
LiLa4Green. (n.d.). In 5 Schritten zum guten Klima MIT LILA4GREEN. Retrieved March 17, 2022, from https://lila4green.at/2021/10/15/die-lila4green-broschuere-ist-da/
Roehr, D., & Laurenz, J. (2008). Living skins: Environmental benefits of green envelopes in the city context. WIT Transactions on Ecology and the Environment, 113, 149–158. https://doi.org/10.2495/ARC080151
Tötzer, T., Hagen, K., Meinharter, E., Millinger, D., Ratheiser, M., Formanek, S., Gasienica-Wawrytko, B., Brossmann, J., Matejka, V., & Gepp, W. (2019). Fostering the implementation of green solutions through a Living Lab approach - Experiences from the LiLa4Green project. IOP Conference Series: Earth and Environmental Science, 323(1). https://doi.org/10.1088/1755-1315/323/1/012079
www.lila4green.at. (n.d.).
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