A framework for evaluating the Living Lab approach in context of Smart City innovation services

Extending evaluation into the governance and practice of innovative city e-services is an important and difficult challenge in times of rapidly changing needs of the citizens and the multiple interests involved. This paper focuses on the Living Lab approach and the promises it holds for evaluating the success of open innovation services in the Smart City. Building on the assessment of the extent to which the Living Lab methodology has been evaluated today, a new Evaluation Framework is proposed which encompasses the whole lifecycle of the co-production of the applications and the Smart City services by engaging the citizens directly and systematically in the evaluation process. The evidence base for evaluation in four smart city pilots is then assessed and a set of propositions about how to progress the Living Lab approach on a more vigorous basis are made. Finally, the implications for the relevant Smart City policies are highlighted as well.