This paper analyses the application of living labs as an approach to address sustainability challenges in Mediterranean rural systems, treated as socio-ecological systems (SES). These systems face difficulties due to the interconnection of ecological and socioeconomic processes, climate-related pressures, and limited adaptive capacities. While living labs are increasingly used to tackle such challenges, the existing literature predominantly focuses on urban contexts, neglecting rural implementations.
The study conducts a systematic review of the literature to assess the suitability of the living lab approach for systemic innovation in rural SES. The paper emphasises the need to view living labs not only as laboratories for validating technological solutions but also as living systems designed for social learning. It discusses constraints on living lab conceptualisation and operation, providing recommendations for more effective and transparent utilisation in rural SES.
The report is available on the ScienceDirect website.
Publication date: 13/12/2023