07 Apr MI-TRAP’s First International Living Lab: Shaping a Shared Vision for Urban Air Quality in Europe
by Giorgos Chatzinakos & Georgia Tseva | AMARANTHUS
On 19 February 2025, MI-TRAP hosted its first International Living Lab (ILL) workshop in Berlin, held at the premises of Physikalisch-Technische Bundesanstalt (PTB) which is the National Meteorology Institute of Germany and a key partner in the project. The workshop brought together researchers, industry experts, policymakers, and citizen science practitioners to address one of Europe’s most pressing environmental challenges: transport-related urban air pollution. The workshop marked the kick-off of MI-TRAP’s engagement strategy, aimed at fostering collaboration with stakeholders for supporting cleaner and healthier urban environments.
A total of 44 participants attended the workshop, including members of the MI-TRAP project consortium (Universities, research institutions, and technical partners), as well as representatives from sister projects and networks, such as Net4Cities, PAREMPI, and the European Citizen Science Association(ECSA). Structured around the World Café methodology, the workshop invited participants to rotate through three thematic discussions, each focused on a critical dimension of urban air quality: (1) identifying knowledge gaps, (2) developing future scenarios, and (3) mapping the stakeholder landscape essential to co-developing innovative solutions.
A recurring theme throughout the discussions was the need to address important gaps in public awareness, scientific data, and policy coordination. Participants emphasised the limited understanding of pollution sources among everyday citizens, as well as the complexity of air quality indices and health implications that often go unexplained by local authorities. Technological innovation alone will not suffice, they argued; effective communication and behavioural change must be seen as equally important drivers of social and environmental change.
The scenario-building exercise revealed cautious optimism about the future of air quality in Europe. While improvements are expected thanks to regulatory frameworks and vehicle electrification, the rise of non-exhaust pollutants (e.g. from tyres and brakes) presents new risks. Participants also highlighted the risk of uneven progress between European cities and regions – especially where political instability or economic constraints hinder long-term planning. Overall, the need for context-specific interventions and stronger support for the most vulnerable urban communities was highly prioritised as a key area of intervention.
In terms of stakeholder engagement, the ILL highlighted the importance of applying the Quadruple Helix model, involving academia, policy, industry, and civil society. Participants indicated the importance of local-level engagement as a means of developing Impactful, relevant strategies across Europe. This is especially key for advancing knowledge and raising awareness about emerging pollutants, which is a central focus of the MI-TRAP project.
Looking forward, our next step is the organisation of ILL’s second workshop where MI-TRAP solutions and innovative data on traffic-related air pollution will be presented, allowing stakeholders to gain a deeper understanding and discuss relevance to existing policy and industry activities. Before this, a series of capacity-building activities, including training, citizen science campaigns, and policy dialogues in the 10 MI-TRAP cities will address the knowledge and engagement gaps identified in the first ILL workshop.
The Berlin workshop was not just a meeting – it was a stepping stone toward a shared European vision for cleaner air. Through continued collaboration, MI-TRAP will move closer to its goal of integrating science, governance, and community action in the quest for more liveable cities.
We thank all participants for their invaluable contributions and look forward to continued collaboration.
Special thanks to Manos Manousakas (NCSR Demokritos) for facilitating one of the World Café tables and supporting the overall organisation of the workshop.
About the Authors
Giorgos Chatzinakos is a Postdoctoral Researcher at the Department of Civil Engineering, University of Thessaly and a member of AMARANTHUS. He is a Human Geographer specialising in action research, community building, and urban analysis. He holds a PhD from Manchester Metropolitan University, a master’s degree in European urban Cultures (POLIS) from a consortium of four European Universities, and a BA in Political Science and Public Administration from the University of Athens.
Georgia Tseva is a Research Associate at the University of Thessaly and AMARANTHUS, working on co-creation methodologies for developing transformative climate solutions. She is a Political Science and Public Administration graduate (University of Athens) with post-graduate studies In Applied Geography and Spatial Planning (Harokopio University/ KU Leuven).
