Integrating science, technology, and experimental knowledge for sustainable innovation: A living lab approach to urban biodiversity management

PURPOSE: This study aims to enhance understanding of STI (Science, Technology, Innovation) and DUI (Doing, Using, Interacting) integration dynamics in sustainable innovation, specifically investigating its role in innovation outcomes, stakeholder engagement, and the institutionalization of sustainable practices in urban lawn management. METHODOLOGY: Using a single case study design, the study captures real-time, dynamic interactions between STI and DUI practices, observing ongoing processes. Data were collected through five focus group interviews with 32 stakeholders, individual interviews, project documentation, and a project diary. Stakeholders included public sector officials, NGOs, private garden owners, and business representatives, each offering insights into policy, environmental practices, and market-driven solutions. The Living Lab methodology, emphasizing co-creation and iterative feedback, guided both data collection and analysis, with NVivo software and manual coding used to identify key themes and challenges in integrating STI and DUI for sustainable innovation. FINDINGS: The investigation revealed that integrating STI and DUI modes fosters a dynamic synergy: STI provided scientific rigor, while DUI leveraged stakeholder input and local contexts to co-develop adaptive urban biodiversity solutions. This approach addressed location-specific challenges, balancing ecological goals with practical feasibility. For instance, stakeholder engagement refined scientific recommendations, ensuring broader applicability and adoption. Despite tensions between rigor and practicality, the participatory Living Lab methodology facilitated co-creation, aligning scientific insights with real-world needs to enhance sustainable lawn care practices. IMPLICATIONS: The study contributes to innovation theory by showing how integrating STI and DUI modes fosters socially responsive, adaptable solutions for urban biodiversity management. From a practical standpoint, it underscores the importance of stakeholder engagement in developing tools and strategies that balance scientific insights with practical, real-world application. The project offers a replicable model for integrating formal research with user-driven innovation in sustainability projects. ORIGINALITY AND VALUE: This paper provides a unique contribution by showcasing how the integration of formal scientific research (STI) with practical, user-cantered approaches (DUI) can foster innovability. The use of the Living Lab methodology to co-create urban biodiversity solutions bridges the gap between academic research and practical application, offering a novel framework for addressing complex environmental challenges through collaborative innovation.