Living Labs as a Method of Knowledge Value Transfer in a Natural Area

The Protected areas are clearly defined geographical spaces, recognised as such and dedicated to the long-term conservation of nature, with associated ecosystem services and cultural values. They provide environmental, social and economic benefits to society, which can be enjoyed at local, regional and international levels and support the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) [1]. In its first definition, according to the American model, a nature conservation area was understood as a different, exceptional site of uncontaminated nature, where human intervention was almost absent. The local community is excluded from land use because it is considered a threat to the preservation of natural ecosystems. However, the success of these areas requires better collaboration with indigenous peoples, community groups and private initiatives, which are crucial. However, these governance models must be participatory, because any conservation and promotion measures are more likely to fail without the education and direct involvement of different social actors. The term Living Lab was introduced in the early 2000s to describe a user-centred research methodology to detect, validate and refine complex solutions in multiple and evolving real-life contexts. They were recognised as a dynamic multi-stakeholder network, that aims to stimulate and manage user-driven innovation in real-world contexts and to promote the interaction between technological and socio-economic forces. This scenario allows the following research question to be formulated: “Can Living Labs represent a sustainable participatory model for sharing environmental, social and economic values in a natural area?”. In order to answer this question, a brief outline of the definition of Living Labs and the different approaches used will initially be provided. The methodology to be applied to natural areas for solving the management problems related to the complex heritage that characterise today's natural areas in general will then be illustrated.