Anna Yström and Stefan Bernat, Linköping University

Overview

Deliverable D3.7 presents a framework for operationalising multi-stakeholder governance in urban Living Labs. Developed from surveys, workshops, project documents and interviews across 12 ELABORATOR cities, it explains how government, citizens, industry and academia can collaborate on inclusive, safe and sustainable mobility solutions. The framework identifies ten governance principles and connects them with practical mechanisms such as stakeholder mapping, citizen panels, exploratory walks, workshops, local committees, communication channels and simulation tools. Living Lab managers can use it as a planning, review and adjustment checklist throughout a project lifecycle.

Highlights

• Evidence-based development: The framework was produced through a qualitative multi-case study using surveys, workshops, project documents and semi-structured interviews with representatives from all 12 ELABORATOR Living Labs. The analysis followed the Gioia methodology and triangulated findings across sources.

• Principles for participation: Stakeholder participation and inclusivity, timely participation and sustained user engagement help ensure that interventions respond to real needs, including those of groups vulnerable to exclusion.

• Principles for coordination: Leadership and team formation, clear communication and trust, inclusive decision-making and adaptive governance help diverse organisations and citizens work together effectively.

• Principles for long-term impact: Strategic alignment, balancing expectations with feasibility, and sustainability and long-term value connect interventions to policy, realistic resources, continuation, replication and scaling.

• Application across the lifecycle: The framework can be used when starting a project, starting or closing a project stage, and closing a project to assess governance gaps and adapt the mechanisms in use.

Conclusion

The framework translates lessons from ELABORATOR cities into a practical governance tool. City evidence shows how governance can affect decisions: Trikala changed planned intervention locations after citizen feedback, while Milan and Helsinki worked directly with disability groups to better understand accessibility needs. The framework is intended to guide implementation in Lighthouse and Follower cities and provide a structured basis for later evaluation, replication and long-term use.