Learning about Korean approach to Living Labs

ENoLL Chairman Fernando Vilariño was invited by the Fredrich Naumann Foundation for Freedom (FNF), and the Korea Local Information, Research and Innovation Development Institute (KLID) to speak at the Living Labs and Smart Cities workshop held in Seoul, Korea between 28-30 November.

During the two-day workshop, the Korean approach to Living Labs was showcased. In Korea Living Labs that are particularly flourishing within the scope of the Internet of Things. There is a growing trend in the country, as a wide variety of profiles for Living Lab initiatives exit.

A closer look at two citizen-driven initiatives revealed strong value of the Living Lab approach. Creativity lab at the Sewonn Plaza, which was instigated by the University of Seoul is used for urban design and capacity building within the local community. In comparison, a visit to Sungdaegol Living Lab for energy efficiency particularly focused on the innovative mechanisms for energy co-production and sharing which are being developed.

The visit strengthened collaboration with Korean Living Lab practitioners and affirmed that the technology driven approach contributing to create test-beds for innovative solutions appear as one of the consolidated mechanisms in Smart Cities all over the globe.