218
H. Kanning et al.
very beginning, the format can be described as a laboratory initiated by practitioner
stakeholders, because:
• Practitioner stakeholders from the Anhalt region raised the issue of the regional
energy transition, and had already addressed this issue with their own commitment
using the resources available to them for more than three years,
• The establishment of the real-world laboratory was only conceivable and feasible
due to the active work of key regional stakeholders seeking to change the existing
system, and
• It was only possible to address additional practitioner stakeholders with success
because of the trusting relationships among regional stakeholders that had been
in existence for several years.
Against this backdrop, an important finding that is a compelling case for the
establishment and long-term operation of real-world laboratories by practitioner
stakeholders is the fact that it takes a long time to establish successful participatory constellations. This longer-term option is missing in urban laboratories (see the
long-term nature criterion). To achieve effective cooperation in the transformation
of society, all stakeholders must also act proactively so as to position their issues
and other concerns. After all, a form of cooperation that always expects the drive
and organisation to come from the same partner will soon show signs of fatigue. It
is clear that the involvement of local stakeholders remains a challenge, even if the
real-world laboratory is initiated by practice partners. Even if a region has activists
who are interested in transformative research, this does not mean that all of the
stakeholders needed to tackle a specific issue are willing to get involved. At best, the
initiating practice partner will be powerful, influential and well networked, enabling
it to organise the constructive participation of the necessary stakeholders.
11.3.5 Regarding the Long-Term Nature and Laboratory
Character
The Anhalt Real-World Laboratory is designed for the long term. The association seeks to establish transdisciplinary infrastructure with adequate physical and
personnel resources (criterion laboratory character) to be able to ensure the best,
most stable possible conditions for experimental research and observation in complex
real-world contexts (see Parodi et al. 2016). In contrast, urban laboratories are based
on a three-year time frame and are project-related, despite ideally desiring their
longer-term and autonomous establishment.
The availability of sufficient resources is a prerequisite for this. However, the
non-profit association has very limited resources. One possibility would be to raise
funds by providing services, but this would imply a change of role to that of a market
economy stakeholder like an energy agency, planning office or consulting agency.
However, if EAA represents its own business interests, it runs the risk of losing
H. Kanning et al.
very beginning, the format can be described as a laboratory initiated by practitioner
stakeholders, because:
• Practitioner stakeholders from the Anhalt region raised the issue of the regional
energy transition, and had already addressed this issue with their own commitment
using the resources available to them for more than three years,
• The establishment of the real-world laboratory was only conceivable and feasible
due to the active work of key regional stakeholders seeking to change the existing
system, and
• It was only possible to address additional practitioner stakeholders with success
because of the trusting relationships among regional stakeholders that had been
in existence for several years.
Against this backdrop, an important finding that is a compelling case for the
establishment and long-term operation of real-world laboratories by practitioner
stakeholders is the fact that it takes a long time to establish successful participatory constellations. This longer-term option is missing in urban laboratories (see the
long-term nature criterion). To achieve effective cooperation in the transformation
of society, all stakeholders must also act proactively so as to position their issues
and other concerns. After all, a form of cooperation that always expects the drive
and organisation to come from the same partner will soon show signs of fatigue. It
is clear that the involvement of local stakeholders remains a challenge, even if the
real-world laboratory is initiated by practice partners. Even if a region has activists
who are interested in transformative research, this does not mean that all of the
stakeholders needed to tackle a specific issue are willing to get involved. At best, the
initiating practice partner will be powerful, influential and well networked, enabling
it to organise the constructive participation of the necessary stakeholders.
11.3.5 Regarding the Long-Term Nature and Laboratory
Character
The Anhalt Real-World Laboratory is designed for the long term. The association seeks to establish transdisciplinary infrastructure with adequate physical and
personnel resources (criterion laboratory character) to be able to ensure the best,
most stable possible conditions for experimental research and observation in complex
real-world contexts (see Parodi et al. 2016). In contrast, urban laboratories are based
on a three-year time frame and are project-related, despite ideally desiring their
longer-term and autonomous establishment.
The availability of sufficient resources is a prerequisite for this. However, the
non-profit association has very limited resources. One possibility would be to raise
funds by providing services, but this would imply a change of role to that of a market
economy stakeholder like an energy agency, planning office or consulting agency.
However, if EAA represents its own business interests, it runs the risk of losing