Co-Produktion von Wissen in der Stadt

Reallabor „Urban Office - Nachhaltige Stadtentwicklung in der Wissensgesellschaft“ an der Universität Heidelberg

Abstract

The Knowledge Society reveals new challenges and opportunities and alters urban development processes. In order to investigate these transitions comprehensively, new formats of inter- and transdisciplinary research are required which allow involving relevant actors of urban development and at the same time to initiate, without prejudging the outcome, sustainable processes of urban transformation. The RealLab “Urban Office – Sustainable Urban Development in the Knowledge Society” therefore extends established observation-oriented research positions. This is done for four specific urban development projects (practice projects), based on which researchers from different disciplines together and on an equal footing with practice actors initiate the co-design of research, governance and planning processes. Of central importance in this context is the development of new communication and research formats which integrate the city administration, the International Building Exhibition Heidelberg (IBA), citizens as well as further practice partners within the co-design process, and turn the Urban Office into a place of reflection, co-production, and, thus, into a part of the “experiment” itself.