As the ELABORATOR project steps into its second year, we are now focusing on progress within the design phase of the project. Here, we put Work Package (WP) 3: Discovery and definition of interventions in the spotlight, which focuses on the co-creation actions across the discovery and definition phase, building up capacity and methodological frameworks for the upcoming twinning activities of the project.
About WP3
The work package concerns both the identification of needs, potentials, and challenges of the cities and to outline the planned interventions in each Living Lab. By establishing a Twinning methodology, the work package focuses on facilitating cross-case learning and cross-site implementation of the interventions. The work builds on co-creation methodologies to enable a twinning process, which we focus on in this article.
ELABORATOR Twinning
The Twinning process builds on cross-case methodology to facilitate co-creation processes between Lighthouse and Follower cities and to ensure the adaptation and uptake of specific interventions. We design and test frameworks and guidelines for the co-creation process involving Lighthouse and Follower cities at the various project phases. The Twinning tasks thus focus on co-creation cycle protocols to facilitate a transparent and robust twinning process and to enable cities to engage in cross-case learning throughout the project. Activities related to this task already started at the Kick-off meeting and proceeded with Twinning exercises, speed-dating sessions and match-making at the Plenary in Issy-les-Moulineaux in late January this year. Drawing further on the challenges, needs and interests identified in these earlier sessions, we now set out to pilot a real-life Twinning Process.
In June, during the second plenary meeting in Copenhagen, Linköping University, WP3 leader, conducted the first testing of the twinning process between Copenhagen (Lighthouse city) and Lund (Follower city). The two cities participated in a two-and-a-half-hour workshop that helped them dive into the details of the interventions and, through co-creative processes, they shared knowledge of tools and methods used in their interventions.
The participants of the workshop were practitioners from each city and urban planners with the practical and technical expertise necessary for implementing the planned interventions and for addressing challenges they may encounter during the implementation phase. The workshop involved the participants in interactive and collaborative activities designed to facilitate peer-to-peer learning and knowledge exchange.
The workshop structure was composed of five parts: Meet the Cities 2.0, Co-creating with Tools, Café Seminar, Reflections, and a final Evaluation. This structure allowed the cities to have one-on-one conversations but also to share insights and collaborate effectively on addressing specific challenges. By having both in-depth discussions and broader knowledge-sharing, the workshop facilitated a comprehensive exchange of ideas and strategies, enabling practitioners to learn from each other’s experiences and co-create innovative solutions for urban development.
Images from the workshop in Copenhagen
The overall philosophy behind the workshop design was to create a collaborative environment by minimizing hierarchical distinctions and promoting interactive activities. This approach helped create a space where the practitioners could openly share their experiences, insights and challenges, and build a foundation for ongoing collaboration between the two cities.
The work of WP3 will finally result in a set of Guidelines and templates towards cross-case co-creation processes to be employed by the ELABORATOR cites in the future Twinning efforts within this project.
Stay tuned as we reveal more of their work down the line!