Innovation in Action – The ULALABS Final Multiplier Event (Hybrid Format)
After three years of collaboration, shared learning and innovation experiences across four European regional contexts, the Erasmus+ ULALABS project (www.ulalabs.eu) is hosting its final international event, bringing together universities, public authorities and urban innovation practitioners to reflect on the project’s achievements, lessons learned and future opportunities for urban experimentation in Europe.
The event, “Innovation in Action: From Urban Experimentation to Cllective Impact. Building a Distributed Ecosystem for Shared Learning and Transformative Change” will take place on 21 October 2026 at the CircuLab - Universitat Autònoma de Barcelona (UAB), as part of the UAB Innovation Week and within the framework of the Barcelona 2026 UNESCO-UIA World Capital ofArchitecture programme.
Heldin a hybrid format, the event will be open to participantsboth in person and online. It will present the results and experiences generated through ULALABS and explore how cities, university campuses and experimentation spaces can support collaboration, shared learning and sustainable transformation processes. The programme will also feature a round table discussion with local and international speakers on how testbeds, sandboxes, urban labs and other experimentation spaces can foster inclusive urban experimentation, collaboration and stronger connections with local innovation ecosystems.
Originating as an ECIU Seed project, ULALABS connects four ECIU University members, Universitat Autònoma de Barcelona, Linköping University, the University of Stavanger and the University of Twente, together with UAB Research Park (PRUAB) and a diversemix of local stakeholders across the four partner regions. Through its “Lab of Labs” approachand vision, the project has explored the role of universities as catalysts and active contributors within urban experimentation spaces, working alongside public authorities, businesses, civil society organisations and other local actors to address shared urban and climate challenges.
Agenda
09:45 – 10:00 | Arrival
10:00 | Institutional welcome
Rosa María Sebastián Pérez, Vice-Rector for Innovation, Transfer and Entrepreneurship, Universitat Autònoma de Barcelona
Main results and lessons learned from ULALABS
Konstantinos Kourkoutas, Universitat Autònoma de Barcelona
Outcomes from the ULALABS pilot activities
· Tina Neset, Linköping University
Cross-case Learning Pilot on transforming campuses and urban spaces into experimentation arenas
· Veronica Junjan, University of Twente
Cross-case Learning Pilot on challenge-based processes at the city level
· Mafalda Madureira, University of Twente
Distributed Learning Pilot on integrating emerging technologies and collaborative methodologies to design inclusive and sustainable urban spaces
| The ULALABS Learning Toolkits, Kristiane Marie Lindland, University of Stavanger
| Learning in Living Labs and Experimentation Spaces: A Social Pedagogy Interpretation of the ULALABS Experience
Carme Rovira, Universitat Autònoma de Barcelona
Coffee break
| Roundtable: Urban Experimentation Spaces: Testbeds, Sandboxes and Urban Labs for Inclusive Urban Experimentation
Speakers:
· Suren Vázquez, Citilab Cornellà (Spain)
· Sara Malmgren, Ebbepark Testbed (Sweden)
· Marta Esplugues, Barcelona Innova (Spain)
· Javier Martínez, DesignLab, University of Twente (the Netherlands)
· Todor Kesarovski, University of Stavanger (Norway)
· Veronica Junjan, ChallengeLab Enschede, University of Twente (theNetherlands)
Moderated by Konstantinos Kourkoutas, UAB Campus Living Lab and the Strategic Research Community on Smart and Sustainable Cities.
Closing remarks
Mireia Galí, ECIU Institutional Coordinator at UAB
13:00 Lunch & networking
Practical information
Date: 21 October 2026
Time: 10:00 to 13:00, followed by networking and a light lunch
Venue: CircuLaB, UAB Bellaterra Campus
Format: Hybrid, with in-person and online participation
Languages: English, Catalan and/or Spanish, with real-time interpretation
Participation: Free, with prior registration
Register to attend in person or online here: Innovation in Action: From Urban Experimentation to Collective Impact.
Online access details will be sent to registered participants before the event.
Find out more about the project on the ECIU website: ULALABS
University of Stavanger
Norway
The University of Stavanger is a research-intensive, innovative and international university, with green transition as the guiding principle for our activities. We constitute a driving force in the development of knowledge – and change processes in society.
University of Twente
The Netherlands
At the University of Twente, we are pioneers in fusing technology, science and engineering with social sciences to impact the world around us. We call this ‘high tech human touch’.
Since its founding in 1961, we have been deeply connected with the rich industrial heritage of our region. We participate in ground-breaking, globe-spanning networks and programmes, and maintain lifelong connections with more than 50,000 alumni worldwide. It is a multicultural community of talented, ambitious people that offers students, scientists and educators from around the world the best possible conditions, including an innovative and vibrant campus with world-class facilities.
Linköping University
Sweden
Linköping University (LiU) is a top-ranked Swedish university, recognised globally for its interdisciplinary research and innovative teaching. From the start, LiU has pioneered collaboration with industry and society to address real-world challenges. It leads in fields like telecommunications, healthcare, energy technology, and materials science.
Hosting major European infrastructures such as the AI Factory MIMER and the supercomputer ARRHENIUS, LiU plays a key role in driving innovation. With 45,000 students and staff, Linköping University offers a dynamic environment where creativity, excellence, and collaboration thrive.
Universitat Autònoma de Barcelona
Spain
Universitat Autonoma de Barcelona (UAB) is a young, groundbreaking university – a leader in international rankings and a benchmark in research. Barcelonian, Catalan and international. A transformative, supportive, diverse and egalitarian, sustainable and healthy, participative and cultural university. And a campus university, with its faculties and schools, research institutes and services all within a natural environment that offers a variety of unique experiences.
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