A transdisciplinary research initiative on coastal protection and nature conservation in Sankt Peter Ording, North Sea: Is it a liv-ing lab?

Under the pressure of global change coastal management increasingly requires interdisciplinary applied research combining the interests of coastal protection and nature conservation. In this transdisciplinary collaboration is a key element of successful research. In the recent past the concept of transdisciplinary living labs has been increasingly put forward in applied research projects, and nowadays is mentioned in many funding schemes and project initiatives. As the concept is both attractive and challenging, and as the wording has undergone various (mis-)interpretations, we discuss its applicability to typical coastal research initiatives based on the transdisciplinary project Sand Coast Sankt Peter-Ording in the German Wadden Sea.

This study explains the conceptual approach and communication pathways as well as exemplary research results. It reflects both, the desire to answer practical questions as well, as the development of fundamental system knowledge and analyses critical success factors. The project is compared to theoretical concepts of living labs, while discrepancies and challenges are discussed. We identify and discuss three main issues: Time restriction of limited funding periods, academic requirements of the science stakeholders, and the relevance of the project for the stakeholders from practice and their active collaboration.

It is concluded that typical transdisciplinary coastal research projects should contain main elements of living lab concepts. However, it must be understood that not all aspects of living labs can be met because of limited funds and project durations. Nevertheless, transdisciplinary projects can be successful if different stakeholders are actively involved and contributing and are satisfied by sustainable outcome, including the science stakeholders.