Urban living labs addressing environmental concerns: Smart SE and the case of Waterford Citizen Participation

Taking a transdisciplinary approach, we examine the potential for Urban Living Labs (ULLs) to transform scientific knowledge ‘in situ’ and provide a basis to understand the complexity and significance of cities themselves and especially of the environmental challenges we face. We examine one such research project which is currently taking shape in Waterford City- the smartSE project which features a ULL. smartSE ULL is a state-of-the-art experimental facility that offers a unique environment for start-ups, international organisations, scientific institutions, foundations, artists and educators to propagate innovative approaches to understanding cities and the sustainability and environmental concerns that manifest themselves in modern European urban environments. The ULL will enable investigators to use the city as a testbed, potentially engaging all regional stakeholders, including policy makers, educators, entrepreneurs, industry, and citizens in the exploration of solutions to contemporary crises. We examine the political economy of the ULL as a “smart city solution” and thus investigate some contemporary responses both to urban development and sustainability challenges in urban environments.