Living Labs Incubator

Recognising the vital role of Living Labs in mission-driven, impact-oriented research, the Living Labs Incubator (LLI) supports and studies Living Labs affiliated with RWTH Aachen University, one of Germany’s largest technical universities. The LLI pursues three core goals: (i) to build a network of existing and emerging Living Labs; (ii) to develop robust methods for Living Lab research and evaluation; and (iii) to establish a Living Lab Training Center that fosters transdisciplinary education and research. 

Against the backdrop of global sustainability challenges and regional structural transformation, the LLI aims to strengthen the local, regional, and national innovation ecosystems in which RWTH Aachen plays a central role. By offering peer-learning formats, conceptual frameworks, and methodological guidance, the LLI enables critical reflection on both political and epistemic dimensions of Living Lab work. Positioned within a technical university, it provides a distinctive knowledge platform dedicated to advancing Living Lab research. The LLI is funded through the Excellence Strategy of the German federal and state governments.

Areas of work:

• Circular Economy
• Education and/or Vocational Training
• Emerging Technologies (e.g. AI, AR/VR)
• Energy
• Environment/Climate Change
• Health and Well Being
• Industries and Manufacturing
• Mobility
• Regulatory Learning
• Smart Cities and Regions
• SME and Start-ups
• Social Innovation and Inclusion
• Urban
• Water (Blue Economy)
• Zero Pollution and Decarbonization