Sustainability Living Labs as a Methodological Approach to Research on the Cultural Drivers of Sustainable Development

Grzegorz Baran,Aleksandra Berkowicz

doi:10.3390/su12124835

Abstract

Given that culture-driven processes cannot be researched and designed if taken out from the real-life environment, an appropriate methodology to study the impact of culture on sustainable development is needed. The aim of the research was to develop a model of a sustainability living lab as a methodological approach based on the living lab concept and its capabilities to study the cultural drivers of sustainable development. The research was carried out with use of the conceptual research framework based on analyzing existing knowledge on cognitive processes within living laboratories and their interpretation in the light of the relationship between culture and sustainable development. First, the results of the analysis of sustainability cultural drivers and the living lab concept are presented, which constitute the research framework of the study. Then, the main contribution as a novel theoretical concept of sustainability living lab is elaborated and discussed. The novelty of this approach to research on the cultural drivers of sustainable development is based on linking together in a coherent model the consequences of the dual nature of culture and the arguments for conducting such research beyond the limitations of closed laboratories towards the highly dynamic environment of real life.

Highlights

The existence, implementation and development of the concept of sustainable development are primarily determined by cultural factors
There are a number of studies on the economic or ecological dimension, while for culture there are no guidelines for assessing the cultural impact of sustainable development or the dynamics of cultural development, except for beginnings in the field of cultural heritage [2]
This paper presents the conceptual phase of the undertaken considerations, which leads to the outline of such processes within a broader conceptual framework based on the living lab concept

Summary

Introduction

The existence, implementation and development of the concept of sustainable development are primarily determined by cultural factors. How to get there, as is demonstrated above, will always be the subject of constant debate This debate is about values; it is a cultural debate” [1]. Culture is the foundation of the three pillars of sustainable development: economic, ecological and social. There are a number of studies on the economic or ecological dimension, while for culture there are no guidelines for assessing the cultural impact of sustainable development or the dynamics of cultural development, except for beginnings in the field of cultural heritage [2]. To culture, neglected dimensions related to the concept of sustainable development are: assets (or technical) and governance aspects. They are necessary as a framework for measuring sustainable development [3]

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Discussion

Conclusion