A framework for analyzing the role of living labs in smart cities: insights from a case study in Japan

Abstract Living labs integrated into smart city development offer promising strategies for citizen engagement and participatory urban planning. This study introduces a comprehensive framework for quantitatively analyzing living labs' impact on citizens' capabilities and smart city perceptions. Through a case study of Min-Lab in Tsukuba, Japan, we examined how participation influences knowledge acquisition, civic engagement, and attitudes toward smart city initiatives. Survey data from 143 participants were analyzed using statistical methods to evaluate living labs' effectiveness in fostering citizen empowerment. Results showed significant improvements in participants' technological knowledge and civic pride across all participation levels. The study revealed positive correlations between living lab-induced capabilities and perception shifts regarding smart cities. Notably, older adults demonstrated substantial knowledge gains, suggesting living labs' potential to address digital divides. Our findings indicate that living labs can serve as effective platforms for enhancing citizen capabilities and aligning smart-city deployment with community expectations. These evidence-based insights support integrating living labs into smart city strategies for more inclusive urban development.