A new approach to promoting mutual learning communities in urban transformation

The report is based on the key observation that urban solutions cannot be directly transferred or replicated between cities because each context has its own institutional, political, social and cultural realities. In response to this challenge, ULALABS suggests replacing traditional knowledge transfer approaches with transformative learning processes. These processes are based on reflective exchange, contextual adaptation and co-creation between diverse stakeholders.

A key conclusion is the importance of building inclusive, transformative and distributed mutual learning communities that can generate real change in participants' practices. The report emphasises that these communities should not be closed or hierarchical, but rather open spaces where administrations, universities, social agents and other local stakeholders can learn from shared challenges together.

The document also emphasises the importance of an iterative and reflective methodological process that enables the constant review of the community's objectives and dynamics. In this regard, the project's roadmap offers a structured guide including mapping actors and ecosystems, collectively defining challenges, building shared learning agendas and developing adaptable tools and resources.

Another key conclusion is that learning and experimentation toolkits are valuable instruments for facilitating collaboration, promoting practical learning and strengthening the transformative capacity of communities. The report emphasises that these tools do not have to be set in stone, but can evolve alongside the community.

Finally, the report identifies the pilot of mutual learning communities as the next essential step in validating and enhancing the proposed model. This phase will enable the conceptual framework to be tested against the real-life experiences of participants, thereby reinforcing its potential application in other European urban sustainability initiatives.

Through this publication, ULALABS is contributing to a rethink of how innovation and urban transformation processes are approached, emphasising not only solutions, but also how people and organisations can learn and transform their practices together.

You can read the full report here: Mutual Learning Communities Roadmap: Learning(s) from the ULALABS Experience