Living Labs (LLs) are collaborative spaces where governments, companies, researchers, and citizens come together to co-create and test innovative solutions for complex urban challenges. In the context of city logistics, LLs offer a unique opportunity to rethink and improve urban freight systems by facilitating shared learning, experimentation, and cooperation across sectors, free from short-term agendas or conflicting interests.
Traditionally, LLs have followed a triple helix model, connecting public, private, and academic actors. However, urban LLs are evolving toward a quadruple helix approach, integrating civil society as a fourth pillar. This shift encourages deeper engagement with citizens and local communities, aligning city logistics innovation more closely with civic needs and spatial realities. Such LLs contribute to broader smart city ambitions by bringing diverse perspectives together to tackle freight-related congestion, emissions, and accessibility.
Despite their promise, urban LLs still face several challenges. Research highlights the need for improved stakeholder engagement, better mechanisms to scale up successful pilots, and more inclusive approaches to citizen participation. Additionally, aligning visions across a wide range of interests—such as city planners, logistics providers, retailers, and residents—remains a core challenge.
To address these issues, the GREEN-LOG project (a European Horizon initiative) has developed and tested a new conceptual framework for Living Labs in city logistics. The framework outlines a structured process that begins with a Scoping phase, focused on stakeholder mapping, co-exploration of shared goals, and the creation of ‘protagonist communities’—actors who lead positive change locally. This approach draws on the work of Smith & Iversen, emphasizing inclusive and iterative design processes.
The framework is currently being piloted in five European locations: Athens, Barcelona, Flanders, Ispra, and Oxfordshire. During the Scoping phase (January–June 2023), local representatives and logistics service providers were interviewed to map prior experiences, current challenges, and expectations. This helped identify varying priorities—such as sustainable mobility, economic viability, or historical preservation—while building consensus around the importance of sustainable logistics.
The next step is transitioning to the Developing phase, where stakeholders collaboratively test technological and operational solutions tailored to their local contexts. These include both generic strategies and site-specific measures, such as shared urban hubs or zero-emission delivery vehicles. By fostering bottom-up innovation, the LLs aim to support a scalable transition to greener and more resilient logistics systems.
In sum, Living Labs offer a promising pathway toward smarter, more sustainable urban freight—but only when grounded in inclusive governance, shared vision, and adaptive frameworks.