THIS CONTENT IS BROUGHT TO YOU BY SINTEF - read more
Researchers have explored ways to gain public support for green neighbourhoods
Solutions such as solar panels and district heating affect people's homes and daily routines.
Across Europe, cities are trying to cut emissions, upgrade buildings, and rethink how energy is produced and used.
Yet one challenge keeps recurring: getting people to participate in and accept the solutions required for the transition. Community engagement is often described as the weakest link in sustainable urban development.
A new study proposes a practical solution.
By studying six neighbourhood transformations across Europe, the researchers developed a simple and practical method. It can help planners, municipalities, and developers work together with people – not around them.
“If we want real change, we have to put people at the centre. Their needs, experiences, and everyday lives are not just context, they are the baseline for innovation,” says researcher Caroline Cheng at SINTEF.
Why neighbourhoods are so hard to change
Cities are responsible for a large share of greenhouse gas emissions.
Upgrading buildings is one of the most effective ways to reduce those emissions. But carrying out large-scale renovation across entire neighbourhoods is a complex process.
It involves many actors, including residents, municipalities, housing companies, engineers, and energy providers. These groups often have different priorities.
At the same time, solutions like solar panels, district heating, or storm water treatment directly affect people’s homes and routines. That means trust, understanding, and acceptance are essential for success, the researcher points out.
“We often assume that better technology will automatically lead to better outcomes. But without engagement, even the best solutions may never be accepted or used as intended,” Cheng explains.
The problem is not the idea itself
A widely used approach is the living lab approach. These are real-world test environments where stakeholders collaborate to develop and try out new solutions.
In theory, living labs are ideal for bringing together many different people and organisations. In practice, however, researchers often encounter challenges with this method. Studies shows that many living labs fail to involve citizens meaningfully, or at all.
The problem is not the idea itself, but the lack of clear and practical guidance on how to implement it.
There are many definitions, frameworks, and ambitions, but little practical advice. That’s the gap Cheng and her colleagues set out to fill.
Six neighbourhoods, one common lesson
The researchers analysed living lab projects in six neighbourhoods in Oslo, Palma de Mallorca, Karviná, Utrecht, Trento, and Sønderborg.
The projects were very different – from renovating social housing to transforming schools and healthcare centres. Despite their differences, they revealed a consistent pattern: engagement works best when it is focused on target groups.
In Oslo, for example, long lectures about sustainability failed to engage students.
But interactive workshops and digital tools helped gather their input. They also improved understanding of concepts such as 'climate positive circular communities.'
This refers to a project that produces more renewable energy than it consumes over its lifetime. One goal is to minimise resource use by keeping materials in closed-loop cycles.
Karviná is a former mining town. Guided tours of closed mines gave youth a practical understanding of technological improvements and how society is transitioning from fossil fuels to more sustainable energy solutions.
In Trento, using the local dialect and communicating through familiar channels helped build trust among older residents.
In Palma, a neighbourhood was being renovated. There, directly involving low-income residents led to lower costs and a stronger sense of community. The entire effort was supported by volunteer architects and engineers.
“There is no one-size-fits-all solution,” says Cheng. “What works in one neighbourhood may not work in another. You have to understand the social context deeply as deep renovation on a neighbourhood scale is a place-based initiative.”
A simple roadmap
Based on these experiences, the researchers developed a five-step approach called S.M.I.L.E.:
Scope – Understand the community and identify key groups.
Map – Identify all relevant actors and their interests.
Implement – Carry out engagement activities.
Learn – Evaluate what worked and what didn’t.
Enhance – Improve and adapt for the next round.
The key insight is that engagement should be viewed as part of a continuous process rather than a single event or one-time intervention.
“We wanted to make something practical. An approach that helps people move from good intentions to actual action on the ground,” Cheng explains.
Not everyone needs to be involved all the time
One surprising finding challenges a common assumption: more participation is not always better.
Instead, the researchers recommend adapting the level of engagement to the situation. This can work better than striving for maximum participation at all times.
Some decisions require extensive citizen involvement. Others may only need information-sharing or targeted input.
This more flexible approach can save time and resources, and lead to better outcomes.
“It’s not about getting everyone involved in everything. In other words, the highest possible level of engagement is not the aim. Instead, it's more important to consider the right level of engagement at the right time for efficient allocation of resources," says Cheng.
Sustainable neighbourhoods, therefore, are not just about energy systems or building materials. They are about people.
Long-term change depends on whether residents understand, accept, and support new solutions. It is also important that they feel they are a part of the process, the researcher explains.
A practical tool for a complex challenge
The S.M.I.L.E. methodology is not a universal solution, Cheng notes.
Nevertheless, it fills a major gap in the field.
By putting people first, while continuously learning and adapting along the way, it can bridge the gap between ambitious climate goals and practical implementation.
As European cities step up their climate efforts, this approach could prove to be the missing piece of the puzzle.
Reference:
Cheng et al. A Systematic Living Lab Approach for Community Engagement for Urban Regeneration – the S.M.I.L.E. Methodology (PDF), REAL CORP 2026 Proceedings, 2026. DOI: 10.48494/REALCORP2026.4102
More content from SINTEF:
-
"Locally produced food for the Armed Forces is the new strategy for total defence”
-
New equipment allows rescue helicopters to fly farther and in worse weather
-
Got new safety shoes – was able to stop taking painkillers
-
How researchers will ensure Norway's Nidaros Cathedral's new doors last 'forever'
-
When fences aren't enough:How can we avoid colliding with animals?
-
New technology can make it easier to recycle old clothes into new fabrics
