Introduction
The Leipzig Living Lab (LL), developed under the PRO-CLIMATE project, supports the design and testing of inclusive climate adaptation approaches in an urban context shaped by social diversity, institutional complexity, and evolving political dynamics.
The LL was initiated in cooperation with the City of Leipzig, with the specific aim of improving the public communication of its climate agenda and enhancing citizen engagement. As such, the process has prioritised direct collaboration with municipal departments, particularly those involved in environmental protection, digital governance, and urban development. Challenges such as fragmented messaging, low citizen uptake of climate programmes, and departmental silos have been central to the diagnosis phase.
Led by the University of Leipzig, with methodological support from Atlantic Technological University (ATU) and with involvement of Coventry University (CU), the Living Lab complements the city’s existing strategic frameworks, including the Climate Action Plan (Klimaschutzaktionsplan Leipzig – KLAK) and the Integrated Urban Development Concept (INSEK). Within this structure, the LL functions as a testing ground for behavioural interventions and participatory governance formats aimed at building trust, improving transparency, and aligning communication across sectors.
Through structured engagement with city officials, NGOs, youth groups, academic experts, and community organisations, the Living Lab focuses on strengthening climate communication, fostering collaborative practices, and identifying opportunities to embed behavioural insights into urban governance.
Key Contextual Challenges in the Leipzig Living Lab
Environmental challenges
Rising urban heat due to sealed surfaces and limited green space in densely built areas; ecological degradation along urban waterways and green corridors.
Socio-Economic Dynamics
Uneven participation across age and social groups; gaps in trust between communities and institutions; limited capacity to mobilise citizens in peripheral areas.
Governance Constraints
Fragmented interdepartmental coordination; lack of consistent and accessible public messaging on climate topics; varying political priorities across governance levels.
Opportunities for Systemic Change
Despite these challenges, Leipzig offers a favourable setting for piloting integrated adaptation actions. The city benefits from an active civil society, a robust academic sector, and a responsive local administration. The diagnosis highlighted four main areas where systemic progress is feasible:
- Climate Communication and Public Dialogue: Developing a coherent and citizen-friendly narrative around climate adaptation, supported by consistent communication across municipal departments.
- Neighbourhood-Level Engagement: Strengthening collaboration with local NGOs, youth groups, and community initiatives to address trust deficits and support inclusive participation, particularly in socially polarised districts.
- Nature-Based Urban Interventions: Expanding green infrastructure, revitalising river corridors, and enhancing local cooling through decentralised approaches offer visible and actionable entry points.
- Strategic Policy Alignment: Linking pilot actions with existing local and regional strategies—such as KLAK and the Saxony Adaptation Strategy—creates synergies for funding, implementation, and long-term integration.
Stakeholder Landscape and Roles
The Leipzig LL operates in a politically diverse environment, where climate engagement varies between municipal departments, community groups, and private sector actors. The central institutional partner is the City of Leipzig, particularly through its Office for Environmental Protection, Sustainable Development Unit, and departments involved in urban planning and communication. These actors hold formal responsibility for implementing the Climate Action Plan (KLAK) and the Integrated Urban Development Concept (INSEK).
Academic input is led by the University of Leipzig, supported by expertise from the Helmholtz Centre for Environmental Research (UFZ). These institutions contribute behavioural and environmental data, scenario planning, and governance analysis. However, their research outputs must be better integrated into public communication and urban policy processes.
Civil society is represented by a network of local organisations and informal initiatives. Groups such as Ökolöwe, Fridays for Future Leipzig, and neighbourhood associations in districts like Connewitz and Plagwitz contribute to public engagement, especially among youth and politically active communities. These actors have strong mobilisation capacity but often operate outside formal decision-making structures.
The private sector includes organisations with influence in infrastructure, mobility, and building renovation—such as LWB Leipzig (municipal housing), Stadtwerke Leipzig (public utilities), and members of the Smart Infrastructure Hub Leipzig. Their involvement in adaptation depends on stronger alignment with city-led strategies and improved coordination.
Relevant news items
Preliminary Steps Toward Establishing the Leipzig Living Lab
A workshop was held at Leipzig University as part of the preliminary steps to establish the Leipzig Living Lab (LL), under the framework of PRO-CLIMATE.