DATE & TIME
30 September 2026, 11:00 – 12:15
TRACKS
TRACK 1: Living Labs for Grand Societal Challenges
TRACK 3: Living Labs for Inclusive Soci(et)al Engagement
TRACK 5: Living Labs Operation, Methods, Tools, and Impact
ROOM
Marble
TYPE OF SESSION
Topic Debate
Description
The OpenLivingLab Days 2026 theme, “Living Labs Impacts and Values for a Changing World”, invites reflection on how Living Labs create value through participation, co-creation and experimentation. Within this framework, the Culture & Creativity and Regenerative Tourism & Placemaking Working Groups explore how arts, culture and regenerative approaches can support place-based transformation while addressing the tensions and conflicting visions that often emerge in these processes.
Inspired by the artistic methodology Issue Wrestling, developed by artist Natasha Taylor, this interactive session will create an arena for participants to explore different perspectives through facilitated debates. By physically positioning themselves in relation to provocative statements and engaging in dialogue, participants will make visible the tensions surrounding place transformation, identity, inclusion and sustainability.
The objective is not to reach consensus or identify winners. Instead, the session seeks to create a space where tensions can be surfaced, different viewpoints can coexist, and participants can collectively reflect on the complexities of transforming places in ways that are sustainable, inclusive, regenerative and meaningful.
Agenda
| Timeslot | Item | Speakers |
|---|---|---|
| 11:00 – 11:05 | Welcome and framing of the session | Michelle Gonzalez Torres (ENoLL) |
| 11:05 – 11:15 | Keynote: Issue Wrestling and productive tensions in place-based transformation | Natasha Taylor (Collections Specialist, Rotterdam University of Applied Sciences, and creator of Issue Wrestling) TBC |
| 11:15 – 12:00 | Issue Wrestling Arena: participants respond to a series of provocative statements related to place-based transformation by physically positioning themselves within the room according to their level of agreement or disagreement. For each statement, invited speakers represent contrasting perspectives, drawing on their experiences in Living Labs, cultural initiatives, placemaking processes, regenerative tourism projects and territorial innovation ecosystems | Natasha Taylor (Collections Specialist, Rotterdam University of Applied Sciences, and creator of the Issue Wrestling methodology) TBC; Iris Kerst (Programme Manager, ENSUT, Inholland University of Applied Sciences, and Co-lead, ENoLL Working Group on Regenerative Placemaking and Tourism); Donagh Horgan (Senior Researcher, New Urban Tourism, Inholland University of Applied Sciences, and Co-lead, ENoLL Working Group on Regenerative Placemaking and Tourism); Jokin Garatea (International Business Director, GAIA, and Lead, ENoLL Culture & Creativity Working Group); Clara Collett (Head of Fundraising and Impact, Knowle West Media Centre) |
| 12:00 – 12:10 | Collective reflection: key tensions that emerged, lessons for Living Labs, and implications for culture-led and regenerative place transformation | All speakers |
| 12:10 – 12:15 | Closing remarks: key takeaways and invitation to continue the conversation through the ENoLL Working Groups | Michelle Gonzalez Torres (ENoLL) |
Speakers
Michelle Gonzalez Torres
Junior Project Manager - ENoLL
Michelle Gonzalez Torres
Junior Project Manager - ENoLLMichelle Gonzalez Torres is a Junior Project Manager at the European Network of Living Labs (ENoLL), with experience in European project management and communications. She holds master’s degree in International Relations in the Digital Era from LUMSA University. Her master’s thesis, “Strategic Business Models for Living Labs: Designing Sustainable Innovation Ecosystems,” explores business model innovation and sustainability in Living Lab environments. At ENoLL, Michelle contributes to EU-funded projects, leads communication activities, and acts as the SPOC for the Culture & Creativity Working Group, as well as Co-SPOC for the Digital Urban Systems & Solutions for Transition – Urban Innovation (DUSST-UI) Working Group. Her professional interests lie at the intersection of green and digital transformation, open innovation, and sustainable urban development. She is dedicated to advancing her expertise in Living Labs, project management, and co-creation methodologies that foster inclusive and regenerative innovation ecosystems.
Iris Kerst
Programme Manager, ENSUT & Co-lead of the ENoLL Working Group on Regenerative Placemaking and Tourism
Iris Kerst
Programme Manager, ENSUT & Co-lead of the ENoLL Working Group on Regenerative Placemaking and TourismIris Kerst is Programme Manager of the Expertise Network Sustainable Urban Tourism (ENSUT) at Inholland University of Applied Sciences and is actively involved in the Rotterdam location of the Urban Leisure & Tourism Lab. She supervises students in applied research and graduation projects on a range of topics, including placemaking, sustainable tourism and urban development. Iris also co-leads the ENoLL Working Group on Regenerative Placemaking and Tourism, fostering international collaboration and knowledge exchange on regenerative approaches to destinations and communities.
Donagh Horgan
Senior Researcher, New Urban Tourism & Co-lead of the ENoLL Working Group on Regenerative Placemaking and Tourism
Donagh Horgan
Senior Researcher, New Urban Tourism & Co-lead of the ENoLL Working Group on Regenerative Placemaking and TourismDr. Donagh Horgan is a Senior Researcher in New Urban Tourism at Inholland University of Applied Sciences and is actively engaged in the Rotterdam location of the Urban Leisure & Tourism Lab. He supervises students undertaking graduation and research projects across a variety of themes, including placemaking, community engagement and sustainable urban transformation. Donagh co-leads the ENoLL Working Group on Regenerative Placemaking and Tourism, bringing together researchers and practitioners to explore innovative, place-based approaches to tourism and urban development.
Jokin Garatea
International Business Director of International Projects, GAIA
Jokin Garatea
International Business Director of International Projects, GAIAHe is an expert on dissemination and exploitation plans. Has participated in more than 80 EU projects. Member of different European networks (ENoLL, Greenovate Europe, EIIT culture KIC), promoter and evaluator of Living Labs, coordinator of the Basque District of Culture and Creativity Vice-president of Ocean Living Lab for promotion and technological innovation of water-related culture and sport activities in a preserved environment of Urdaibai. Jokin is counsellor for sustainability in the municipality of Forua, at the Reserve of the biosphere of Urdaibai. Its cultural and natural heritage is critical to be maintained through innovative projects. Jokin has a Law Degree, from Deusto University, Spain, a MSc in CSR in Football Clubs and is a PhD candidate in Industrial Psychology.
Clara Collett
Head of Fundraising and Impact, Knowle West Media Centre
Clara Collett
Head of Fundraising and Impact, Knowle West Media Centre
Clara Collett is a community-led innovation practitioner and Head of Fundraising and Impact at Knowle West Media Centre (KWMC), where she works at the intersection of creativity, participation and social change. With over ten years of experience designing and delivering arts, education and community programmes, she creates inclusive spaces where people can shape the future of their neighbourhoods and everyday lives.
Her work focuses on equitable participation, cultural placemaking and digital inclusion, underpinned by the belief that innovation already exists within communities and should be recognised, resourced and amplified.
Through KWMC Bristol’s Living Lab, Clara has supported participatory approaches that use storytelling, digital arts, making and collective imagination to move communities from being consulted to becoming active co-creators of change.