Living Lab

Implementation of Living Lab

Living Lab: Three Sessions for the Future of Talkša and Salduvė Parks
In May and June 2026, three Living Lab sessions were held as part of the MIESTOlabas project, focusing on the future vision for Talkša and Salduvė parks in Šiauliai, Lithuania.
The sessions brought together researchers in management and natural sciences from Vilnius University Šiauliai Academy, as well as representatives of Šiauliai city self-government, tourism, business, citizens and other stakeholder groups. Using the Living Lab methodology, participants discussed how to develop a future concept for Talkša and Salduvė parks that balances human needs, community expectations and nature conservation.
During the discussions, participants emphasised that the future of the parks should not be planned solely around human convenience or tourist attraction. Talkša and Salduvė parks are, first and foremost, important urban natural areas, where it is essential to protect natural habitats, bird nesting sites, landscape identity and biodiversity. At the same time, these urban green spaces are highly valuable for recreation, emotional well-being, environmental learning, cultural activities and the development of sustainable urban tourism.
Across the three Living Lab sessions, participants explored different directions for park development while searching for a balance between the tranquillity of nature and the needs of visitors. The discussions focused on how to strengthen the recreational, educational, cultural and tourism value of the parks without damaging sensitive natural areas or reducing their ecological potential.
Within the MIESTOlabas Living Lab, co-creation is applied as a method that enables researchers, public institutions, business representatives, tourism stakeholders and local communities to search for solutions together in a real urban context. This collaborative approach helps to identify the needs of different stakeholder groups and to develop more evidence-based, sustainable and long-term solutions for urban green space governance.
The insights generated during the Living Lab sessions are expected to contribute to the implementation of the Šiauliai City Strategic Development Plan 2025–2033 and to the formation of a sustainable future vision for Talkša and Salduvė parks.
The MIESTOlabas project is funded by the Research Council of Lithuania under the research project “Co-creation of Urban Green Space Ecosystem Service Value in a Living Lab”, No. S-MIP-24-18.
MIESTOlabas is an interdisciplinary research project titled “Co-creation of Urban Green Space Ecosystem Service Value in a Living Lab”, No. S-MIP-24-18, funded by the Research Council of Lithuania. The project brings together researchers from management, education, natural sciences and other fields to study sustainable urban development, citizen participation, ecosystem service value perception and co-creation processes. The project is led by Assoc. Prof. Dr. Milda Damkuvienė from Vilnius University Šiauliai Academy. For partnership, research collaboration and Living Lab networking enquiries, please contact: .

More Than a Park: How the MIESTOlabas Living Lab Helps Listen to Both Nature and People
The activities of the MIESTOlabas project, funded by the Research Council of Lithuania and implemented at Vilnius University Šiauliai Academy, show that urban green spaces are far more than places for recreation or leisure. For the people of Šiauliai, Talkša and Salduvė parks are spaces of nature, urban identity, emotional well-being, environmental learning and community connection.
The project applies the Living Lab methodology to explore the future of Talkša and Salduvė parks from different perspectives. Researchers, representatives of local government, the public sector, tourism, business, citizens and nature education experts took part in the discussions. Their insights revealed that planning the future of urban green spaces requires more than infrastructure development. It requires a deeper understanding of the values these spaces already create and the potential cost of irresponsible decisions.
Participants first identified what is already valuable in the Talkša and Salduvė park area: proximity to the city, fragments of wild nature, water, clean air, silence, biodiversity, the importance of Salduvė Hillfort for the city’s identity and opportunities for environmental education. The parks were seen not only as recreational areas, but also as places where natural, cultural, educational and emotional values meet.
At the same time, an important question emerged: how can access to the parks be improved without turning them into overdeveloped infrastructure zones? Participants discussed the need for paths, benches, lighting, information signs, toilets and better accessibility for people with different needs. However, almost every suggestion came with an important condition: infrastructure must be compatible with nature. Park development must not destroy natural habitats, bird nesting sites, landscape identity or biodiversity.
One of the strongest themes that emerged during the Living Lab process was the need to change the way we understand an urban park. A park is not simply an object to be “tidied up” or “improved”. It is a living system in which humans are only one part. During the second session, held in the actual environment of Talkša and Salduvė parks, participants emphasised that the park should not only be known, but also felt: by listening to the forest, noticing birds, recognising plants and understanding which places can be more open to people and which should be protected from intensive use.
This experience helped to develop the idea of an educational nature trail. Participants discussed the possibility of creating a route that would be valuable for schoolchildren, local residents and visitors to the city. Such a trail could also function without a guide by using QR codes, information points or audio stations explaining which plants, birds, trees and natural processes can be observed in a specific location.
However, participants also stressed that environmental learning should not be reduced to technology or information alone. One of the key insights of the Living Lab was the need to create spaces not only for knowledge, but also for sensitivity towards nature. Urban parks should include places where people do not simply consume nature, but can simply be in it: to stop, listen, observe, calm down and understand their relationship with the environment.
The third Living Lab session focused strongly on ecosystem services. Participants were introduced to the idea that nature provides direct and indirect benefits to people, including clean air, water filtration, soil formation, climate regulation, emotional well-being, aesthetic experiences, cultural identity and social life.
This perspective helps us understand that urban parks are not only beautiful landscapes or backgrounds for leisure. They are part of the city’s life-support system. Trees clean the air, provide shade, regulate temperature, create habitats for animals, and support human health and emotional well-being. Regulating ecosystem services are often invisible, which makes their value easy to underestimate. Yet they become especially important in the context of climate change, urbanisation and increasing urban noise.
The Living Lab discussions also highlighted the role of the responsible visitor. Participants talked about littering, noise, harmful bird feeding and irresponsible movement through sensitive natural areas. They emphasised that restrictions alone are not enough. People need clear, understandable and engaging information about why certain behaviour can damage the environment. In this context, ecological education becomes not an additional activity, but a necessary condition for the sustainable use of urban parks.
Another important discussion topic was the role of tourism and recreation. Talkša and Salduvė parks can be attractive to city visitors, families, schoolchildren, hikers and nature observers. However, participants clearly distinguished responsible visiting from mass consumption. Tourism development in such a sensitive urban natural area should not be based on attracting the largest possible number of visitors. It should be based on high-quality experience, respect for place and a clear understanding of where human presence is appropriate and where nature needs more peace.
The participants proposed several future visions for the area: a cultural park where nature, history and the spirit of the city meet; a recreational park with clearly defined functional zones; and a nature-based vision prioritising biodiversity, invasive plant control, water quality and ecological education. One vision emphasised that a cultural park could strengthen urban identity, social well-being and cultural ecosystem services. At the same time, participants recognised that mass events and irresponsible behaviour could weaken these values.
In the recreational vision, the park was seen as a system of different zones: the beach area, the activities of the Nature Centre, access to the hillfort, active leisure areas and a quieter lakeside zone. One particularly important idea was that the lakeside should not be dominated by transit paths. Instead, it should offer places where people can stop, stay and experience nature.
The Living Lab process showed that people from different fields may see the same park in different ways, but they can still work towards a shared goal. For some, biodiversity is the priority. For others, cultural identity, tourism potential, family recreation or infrastructure convenience are most important. The Living Lab approach helps to bring these perspectives together rather than set them against each other. It supports the search for solutions in which human needs are not separated from nature conservation.
At the end of the sessions, participants emphasised that the process had strengthened their sense of responsibility for the future of the parks. They expressed the hope that the Talkša and Salduvė area would remain alive, natural and meaningful for future generations, and that the forest would not become just another “tidied-up” urban space.
This direction is also supported by the results of the quantitative research carried out by the project team. The survey involved 1,064 residents of Šiauliai, and one of the statements receiving the strongest agreement was the aim to preserve the park for future generations.
Therefore, the future of Talkša and Salduvė parks is not only about paths, benches or tourism routes. It is a question about the kind of city we want to create: a city where nature becomes only a service to be consumed, or a city where people learn to be part of nature.
The MIESTOlabas Living Lab shows that the answer must be searched for together — through co-creation, open discussion and shared responsibility for the life of the park.
The MIESTOlabas project is funded by the Research Council of Lithuania under the research project “Co-creation of Urban Green Space Ecosystem Service Value in a Living Lab”, No. S-MIP-24-18.
The MIESTOlabas project is led by Assoc. Prof. Dr. Milda Damkuvienė from Vilnius University Šiauliai Academy. For partnership, research collaboration and Living Lab networking enquiries, please contact: .
Vilnius University Šiauliai Academy Researchers Presented the MIESTOlabas Experience to the National Living Lab Community
On 27 May 2026, the scientific-practical conference “From Idea to Impact: Living Lab as a Space for Co-creation and Change” was held at the VILNIUS TECH Sustainability Hub in Vilnius. The event brought together researchers and practitioners working with the Living Lab methodology in Lithuania.
The conference was attended by a team of management and natural sciences researchers from Vilnius University Šiauliai Academy, who are implementing the MIESTOlabas project, funded by the Research Council of Lithuania.
The aim of the conference was to strengthen the methodological foundations of Living Labs, share practical experiences of implementing Living Lab initiatives, and build long-term collaboration between researchers, municipalities, businesses and communities. The event focused on theoretical and methodological perspectives of Living Lab application, practical implementation experiences, impact assessment opportunities and the role of co-creation in addressing real societal, urban and community challenges.
At the conference, the Vilnius University Šiauliai Academy research team presented MIESTOlabas as a practical example of a Living Lab in action. In this project, the Living Lab methodology is applied to explore the future of Talkša and Salduvė parks in Šiauliai, Lithuania. The project seeks to understand how urban green spaces can be developed by balancing human needs, community expectations, tourism potential and nature conservation.
In the MIESTOlabas project, the Living Lab is understood not only as a research method, but also as a real space for co-creation. The Living Lab sessions involve researchers, representatives of local government, the public sector, business, tourism, citizens and nature education. Together, they discuss the value of the parks, the ecosystem services they provide, possible development directions, infrastructure needs, biodiversity protection and responsible visitor behaviour.
The experience presented at the conference showed that the Living Lab approach makes it possible to connect different types of knowledge, interests and expectations. In the case of Talkša and Salduvė parks, some participants prioritise the tranquillity of nature, protection of bird habitats and biodiversity. Others focus on educational trails, recreational opportunities, cultural identity, tourism attractiveness or more convenient infrastructure. The Living Lab helps to bring these perspectives together rather than set them against each other, supporting solutions based on research, local experience and community engagement.

The Vilnius University Šiauliai Academy team is also part of the national Living Lab network LLNET, which connects researchers and practitioners applying the Living Lab methodology in different fields. Participation in the LLNET network provides opportunities to exchange experience with other Living Lab initiatives, strengthen methodological knowledge and develop new directions for collaboration in Lithuania.
The conference programme included theoretical and methodological perspectives on Living Labs, presentations of practical experiences and a panel discussion titled “Living Labs as an Impact Instrument: Small Can Do a Lot!”. During the event, participants discussed how Living Labs can become not only a form of research or consultation, but also a real instrument for impact, helping to create long-term links between science, local government, business and communities.
The participation of Vilnius University Šiauliai Academy researchers in the conference was an important step in presenting the MIESTOlabas Living Lab to a wider national Living Lab community. It provided an opportunity to share practical experience, demonstrate how a Living Lab can operate in a real urban green space planning context, and strengthen collaboration with other Living Lab researchers and practitioners.
The MIESTOlabas project contributes to the broader discussion on how a university can act as a co-creation platform connecting science and society. The case of Talkša and Salduvė parks shows that the Living Lab methodology can help address complex urban development challenges when it is necessary to balance different interests, listen to local communities and jointly search for sustainable solutions.
The MIESTOlabas project is funded by the Research Council of Lithuania under the research project “Co-creation of Urban Green Space Ecosystem Service Value in a Living Lab”, No. S-MIP-24-18.
MIESTOlabas is an interdisciplinary research project titled “Co-creation of Urban Green Space Ecosystem Service Value in a Living Lab”, No. S-MIP-24-18, funded by the Research Council of Lithuania. The project brings together researchers from management, education, natural sciences and other fields to study sustainable urban development, citizen participation, ecosystem service value perception and co-creation processes. The project is led by Assoc. Prof. Dr. Milda Damkuvienė from Vilnius University Šiauliai Academy. For partnership, research collaboration and Living Lab networking enquiries, please contact: . 

Dissemination of project results

PARTICIPANTS OF THE ŠIAULIAI TV “INFOSTUDIJA” PROGRAMME’S “GUEST OF THE DAY” SEGMENT – MEMBERS OF THE PROJECT RESEARCH TEAM

On December 12, 2025, researchers from the project team – Assoc. Prof. Dr. Martynas Kazlauskas and Assoc. Prof. Dr. Jurgita Joniškienė – appeared in the “Guest of the Day” segment of the Šiauliai TV programme Infostudija. They presented the results of a survey of Šiauliai city residents on the perceived value of urban park ecosystem services – ranging from recreation, health promotion, and emotional well-being to community building.

According to the researchers, urban parks are not merely green spaces – they are living ecosystems where environmental protection, health, social connections, and urban identity intersect. Residents’ experiences, daily habits, and expectations provide a deeper understanding of which park services truly create value and which areas could be further improved.

The presented research results will be used during upcoming Living Lab activities, to which the research team will invite users of Šiauliai city park services – the city’s residents.

During the Living Lab activities, the aim will be to:

• discuss the key ecosystem services of urban parks that generate the greatest value for residents;
• engage citizens of Šiauliai as co-creators rather than merely consumers of ecosystem services;
• jointly generate ideas on how urban parks could better respond to the needs of different groups;
• contribute to the development of more sustainable, inclusive, and vibrant urban parks in Šiauliai.

* Read more on the Etaplius portal: https://www.etaplius.lt/gyvenimas/mokslas/mokslininku-komanda-kviecia-miestiecius-tapti-bendrakurejais-ir-prisideti-prie-tvaresniu-miesto-parku/379904

 

Žinių Radijas Broadcast “Ekspertai pataria”

On 31 October 2025, in the Žinių Radijas programme “Ekspertai pataria”, the project leader Assoc. Prof. Dr. M. Damkuvienė and team member Assoc. Prof. Dr. M. Kazlauskas presented the Living Lab methodology as an approach for addressing urban park development challenges, as well as the results of the Šiauliai residents’ survey. Key insights shared in the broadcast:

• Over 80% of surveyed Šiauliai residents stated that the city feels close and personal to them.
• Residents indicated that preserving the city’s parks for future generations is important.
• Around 40% of respondents would be willing to take part in co-creation initiatives aimed at enhancing urban green spaces.
• As many as 74% believe that such participation could be a pleasant and engaging activity. The most motivating factor for getting involved would be encouragement and active participation from family members or friends.

 

 

CONFERENCE “ACTIVE CITIZEN – STRONG STATE 2025”

On 9 October 2025, during the conference of community representatives organised by the Ministry of the Interior of the Republic of Lithuania in Nemenčinė, the project leader Assoc. Prof. Dr. M. Damkuvienė and researchers Assoc. Prof. Dr. M. Kazlauskas and Assoc. Prof. Dr. J. Joniškienė participated in the event.

The MIESTOlabas team delivered a presentation titled “Citizens as Creators: Living Labs for the Future of Green Spaces” and took part in a panel discussion.

The idea presented by the researchers — that the Living Lab methodology can engage and empower local communities by serving as a practical community-based innovation environment in which people become co-creators, collaboratively generating, testing, and evaluating new ideas through open, participatory, and experimental learning — received notable interest and support from the audience. Participants expressed encouragement for continuing the work and seeking synergy across different sectors.

 

“THE EVOLUTION OF THE ROLE of the STATE in the 21st CENTURY: NATIONAL AND INTERNATIONAL CONTEXT”

On 3 October 2025, Vilnius University Šiauliai Academy hosted the 18th Jonas Pranas Aleksas International Interdisciplinary Scientific Conference “The Evolution of the Role of the State in the 21st Century: National and International Context.”

The main theme of the conference was “Data and Their Impact: Evidence-Based Policy Making for Smart and Sustainable Regional Development.”

Assoc. Prof. Dr. E. Petukienė delivered a presentation titled “Interrelations Between Ecosystem Service Value, Environmental Worldviews, and the Intention to Engage in Co-Creation.”

The findings from the survey of Šiauliai city residents revealed that:

• Both ecocentric and anthropocentric environmental worldviews significantly influence the perceived value of park ecosystem services and are important factors shaping the potential for co-creation.
• Perceived value of ecosystem services emerged as the strongest predictor of co-creation intentions, suggesting that co-creation initiatives are most likely to succeed when park visitors clearly understand the services and benefits provided by natural areas.
• Anthropocentric attitudes also significantly influence perceived service value. This indicates that people oriented toward the utilitarian value of nature may still acknowledge the importance of ecosystem services, albeit from a different perspective.

 

 

FIRST PUBLIC PRESENTATION OF THE ŠIAULIAI CITY RESIDENTS’ SURVEY RESULTS

On 12 September 2025, members of the project team took part in the 14th scientific–practical conference “Economics and Business: Regional Problems and Opportunities 2025”, dedicated to the celebration of the 789th anniversary of Šiauliai city.

Team member Assoc. Prof. Dr. J. Valuckienė delivered a presentation titled “Interaction Between Nature and People: How Do Šiauliai Residents Perceive the Ecosystem Services of Urban Parks?”, in which the results of the Šiauliai residents’ survey were shared publicly for the first time.

  

Living Lab networking

MIESTOlabas Research Presented at the International NISPAcee Conference in Sofia
The results of the MIESTOlabas Living Lab research project were presented at the 34th Annual NISPAcee Conference, “Governing Uncertainty: Strengthening Democracy Through Responsible Public Administration”, held in Sofia, Bulgaria.
Dr. Jurgita Joniškienė, a member of the research team from Vilnius University Šiauliai Academy, represented the project and presented its findings to an international academic and professional audience.
The NISPAcee conference brought together researchers and practitioners in public administration, local government, democratic governance, policy-making and responsible public sector management from different countries. The discussions focused on how public administration can strengthen democracy, resilience and responsible decision-making in times of uncertainty.
At the conference, Dr. Joniškienė presented the results of the MIESTOlabas project, funded by the Research Council of Lithuania. Her paper, “How Perceived Ecosystem Service Value Shapes Willingness to Participate in Urban Park Ecosystem Service Co-creation: Case of Šiauliai City, Lithuania”, was delivered in the Local Government working group.
The presented study explores how the perceived value of urban green space ecosystem services is related to citizens’ willingness to participate in the co-creation of ecosystem services. The research focuses on the area of Talkša and Salduvė parks in Šiauliai, Lithuania, where the MIESTOlabas team applies the Living Lab methodology to engage citizens, researchers, public sector representatives and other stakeholders.
MIESTOlabas is an interdisciplinary research project titled “Co-creation of Urban Green Space Ecosystem Service Value in a Living Lab”, No. S-MIP-24-18, funded by the Research Council of Lithuania. The project brings together researchers from management, education, natural sciences and other fields to study sustainable urban development, citizen participation, ecosystem service value perception and co-creation processes.
Participation in the NISPAcee conference provided an important opportunity to present the MIESTOlabas Living Lab model to the international academic community, share research results and discuss innovative approaches to urban green space governance. The conference also opened space for dialogue on the role of local government in involving citizens in decision-making, responsible public administration and the application of co-creation methods in different public policy contexts.
The international presentation of the MIESTOlabas project strengthened the project’s scientific visibility and created opportunities for networking with researchers and professionals in public administration, local government, sustainable cities, urban ecosystem services and Living Lab-based innovation. This is an important step in positioning the Šiauliai-based Living Lab as a visible and relevant initiative at both national and international levels.
The MIESTOlabas team thanks the conference organisers, working group chairs and colleagues for meaningful discussions and for the opportunity to present research carried out in Lithuania within an international academic environment.
The MIESTOlabas project is funded by the Research Council of Lithuania under the research project “Co-creation of Urban Green Space Ecosystem Service Value in a Living Lab”, No. S-MIP-24-18.
The project is led by Assoc. Prof. Dr. Milda Damkuvienė from Vilnius University Šiauliai Academy.

 

MIESTOlabas – Participant of the European Network of Living Labs (ENoLL) Days From 25 to 27 September 2024, the MIESTOlabas project leader Assoc. Prof. Dr. M. Damkuvienė took part in the European Network of Living Labs (ENoLL) event “Open Living Lab Days” in Timișoara, Romania.

The event’s theme — “The Power of Living Labs: Harnessing Public Participation for Systemic Change and Real Impact” — attracted more than 480 representatives of Living Labs from around the world. Participation in the event provided the following opportunities:

• Professional development: learning from best practices in Living Lab implementation and gaining insights into the latest trends in the field.
• Strengthening networking: establishing contacts and finding partners for future projects, especially in areas related to citizen engagement challenges.
• Engagement in the international Living Lab community: taking part in scientific sessions, workshops, and discussions while representing Lithuania’s Living Lab community.

 

INTERNATIONAL SCIENTIFIC CONFERENCE “LIVING LABS: OPENING INNOVATION ECOSYSTEMS FOR CO-CREATION AND IMPACT”

On 27 May 2025, the international scientific conference “Living Labs: Opening Innovation Ecosystems for Co-creation and Impact” took place at the Lithuanian University of Health Sciences in Kaunas, organised by LLLNet (the Lithuanian National Living Labs Network). The project leader, Assoc. Prof. Dr. M. Damkuvienė, delivered a presentation titled “Evidence-Based Living Laboratory in the Context of Urban Green Space Co-Development: A Perceived Ecosystem Service Value Approach.”

The purpose of the presentation was to introduce LLLNet members to the MIESTOlabas project concept and the first steps in applying an evidence-based Living Lab method for the co-creation of urban green spaces, with a particular focus on perceived ecosystem service value as a foundation for decision-making and participation in co-creation.

 

 

INTERNSHIP AT THE UNIVERSITY OF GRANADA, SPAIN

From 19 to 22 May 2025, the project leader Assoc. Prof. Dr. M. Damkuvienė and researchers Assoc. Prof. Dr. J. Valuckienė, Assoc. Prof. Dr. E. Petukienė, and Assoc. Prof. Dr. J. Joniškienė completed an internship at the University of Granada (Universidad de Granada, UGR) in Spain. The aim of the internship was to deepen academic and methodological knowledge related to the Living Lab methodology.

The University of Granada has extensive experience in implementing projects that integrate biodiversity, urban ecology, climate change, and innovation research. Together with UGR researchers whose expertise includes organising and managing Living Labs, the team discussed success factors and challenges encountered in projects such as “PRE-GREENMITIGATION,” “SMART ECO-MOUNTAINS,” and “SOMOS MEDIALAB UGR.”

 

 

MIESTOlabas in the National Living Lab Network

In February 2025, the MIESTOlabas research team became a member of LLLNet – the National Living Labs Network.

LLLNet brings together Living Labs – open innovation ecosystems where science, business, and society work collaboratively.

Membership in the network provides opportunities to:

• participate in national events and activities related to environmental protection, urban development, and community engagement;
• expand competencies and apply research results in practice;
• build closer connections with other Lithuanian organisations, municipalities, and communities;
• share experience on how to successfully integrate social and natural science perspectives in urban planning;
• contribute to the growth of Lithuania’s innovation ecosystems by promoting collaboration and openness.

 

Cooperation with Local Authorities

Collaboration with Local Government DISCUSSION “STRENGTHENING REGIONAL AND LOCAL GOVERNANCE THROUGH SCIENCE AND INNOVATION”

On 8 November 2024, the project leader Assoc. Prof. Dr. M. Damkuvienė took part in the discussion “Strengthening Regional and Local Governance through Science and Innovation.” The discussion was moderated by project team member Dr. J. Joniškienė.

This event at Vilnius University Šiauliai Academy brought together representatives from various sectors — from the Network of Science and Innovation Advisors in ministries to local government officials.

The discussion focused on the importance of communication and trust between different institutions.

M. Damkuvienė presented the MIESTOlabas project as an example of how scientific research can support local government in making evidence-based decisions related to urban green spaces.

 

 

MEETING WITH REPRESENTATIVES OF ŠIAULIAI CITY MUNICIPALITY

On 24 October 2024, the project team met with representatives of Šiauliai City Municipality to discuss the implementation of the project “Co-creation of Urban Green Space Ecosystem Service Value in a Living Lab.”

During the meeting, the team and municipal representatives discussed prospects for cooperation, the selection of a suitable urban green space for project implementation, and the involvement of municipal stakeholders in different stages of the project.

About the MIESTOlabas Team

MIESTOlabas is a research project implemented at Vilnius University Šiauliai Academy and funded by the Research Council of Lithuania. The project focuses on the co-creation of urban green space ecosystem service value in a Living Lab.
The project is carried out by an interdisciplinary team of researchers from the fields of social sciences, management, education, statistics, ecology and natural sciences, together with second-cycle students. This interdisciplinary profile enables the team to analyse urban green spaces as complex socio-ecological systems where natural, social, cultural, historical, managerial, educational and community-related dimensions interact.
The phenomenon of urban green space co-creation through the Living Lab methodology is complex and requires the integration of different theoretical perspectives and practical competences. Each team member contributes specific expertise that is essential for developing the project’s research concept, methodology, Living Lab scenarios, data analysis, communication, dissemination and practical impact.
Assoc. Prof. Dr. Milda Damkuvienė is the project leader. Her research experience in perceived value, value co-creation, leadership and change in complex systems is important for developing the theoretical foundation of perceived ecosystem service value, designing Living Lab scenarios, developing scientific publication concepts and presenting the Living Lab methodology to public sector representatives. As project leader, she is responsible for the quality, timely implementation and achievement of the project results.
Dr. Jurgita Joniškienė focuses her research on stakeholder interaction processes, cross-sectoral partnership management and the creation of value through collaboration. Her expertise is important for analysing stakeholder engagement, partnership processes and value co-creation across sectors. Her experience supports the conceptualisation of the Living Lab as a space where science, local government, business, the public sector and communities meet.
Assoc. Prof. Dr. Evandželina Petukienė contributes expertise in assessing levels of stakeholder participation, motivation and engagement. She is also involved in strengthening the quality of interaction between the research team and different stakeholder groups, as well as in project communication, dissemination and the visibility of Living Lab results. These competences are important in ensuring that the project outcomes are understandable, visible and practically relevant for municipalities, communities, organisations and the wider public.
Assoc. Prof. Dr. Jolanta Valuckienė has extensive experience in qualitative research design, implementation and analysis. Her expertise is important for developing the methodological foundation of urban green space co-creation processes in the Living Lab, designing and implementing Living Lab scenarios, facilitating co-creation processes and analysing qualitative research data.
Prof. Dr. Saulius Balčiūnas ensures the quality of empirical research strategies, research instruments and quantitative data analysis. His expertise in applying multivariate statistical models is essential for the methodological development of the Living Lab research concept, the design and validation of quantitative and qualitative research instruments, data systematisation and statistical analysis.
Dr. Martynas Kazlauskas, Head of the Botanical Garden at Vilnius University Šiauliai Academy, strengthens the team with expertise in ecology, environmental studies and natural resource management. His experience in cooperation with Šiauliai City Municipality on the development of urban green spaces, as well as his research interests in the human dimensions of natural resource management and the ecology of rare and invasive species, are important for exploratory research, conceptualising ecosystem services, developing research instruments and identifying ecosystem actors in urban green spaces.
Prof. Dr. Ingrida Šaulienė participates in the project as an expert and non-core team member. Her extensive project and research experience in aerobiology, as well as her cooperation with environmental policy-makers and practitioners, is valuable for developing the Living Lab methodology, providing expert input on the theoretical concept of perceived urban green space ecosystem service value and supporting the Living Lab sessions.
Several team members have long-standing experience of joint academic work. Milda Damkuvienė, Jolanta Valuckienė, Saulius Balčiūnas and Evandželina Petukienė have collaborated in national and international social research projects, co-authored monographs, research studies and scientific articles. Their previous work on customer participation value, organisational competitiveness, interactions within complex systems and leadership processes in the context of systemic change provides a strong foundation for the MIESTOlabas research.
At the centre of the MIESTOlabas research is the question of how urban green spaces create value for people, communities and nature, and how this value can be jointly understood, reflected upon and co-created by different stakeholders. The project analyses how residents, local government, business, tourism, public sector, community and nature education representatives perceive urban park ecosystem services and how they can become involved in their co-creation.
The project applies the Living Lab methodology, which connects scientific knowledge with real urban experience. Research takes place not only in the academic environment, but also in the living context of the city — together with people for whom urban green spaces are important in everyday life, professional practice or community activities.
The main case study of the project is the area of Talkša and Salduvė parks in Šiauliai, Lithuania. This urban green space provides an opportunity to analyse a key challenge of contemporary urban development: how to balance human needs, community expectations, recreation and tourism opportunities, biodiversity protection, the tranquillity of nature and sustainable green infrastructure development.
The MIESTOlabas team aims to contribute to the development of Living Lab methodology and to create a practically applicable model for the co-creation of urban green spaces. The project results may be useful for municipalities, communities, researchers and organisations seeking sustainable, inclusive and science-based solutions for urban green infrastructure.
The team is part of the national Living Lab network LLNET, participates in scientific and practical discussions in Lithuania and abroad, presents project results at international conferences and strengthens collaboration between science, local government, business, the public sector and communities.
The MIESTOlabas project is funded by the Research Council of Lithuania under the research project “Co-creation of Urban Green Space Ecosystem Service Value in a Living Lab”, No. S-MIP-24-18.