Events

Launched last June during the NL Knowledge House (NLKH) Work Mission to Jakarta, the NLKH Living Lab aims to foster international collaboration and knowledge exchange among various stakeholders from Indonesia and the Netherlands to create innovative solutions for pressing challenges in sustainability and climate resilience. The first NLKH Living Lab brings together NLKH members that represent the Dutch Universities of Applied Sciences (The Hague University of Applied Sciences, AERES and Saxion University of Applied Sciences) with Indonesian universities (currently Universitas Airlangga (UNAIR), President University). The Living Lab is guided by the team from Kampung Kollektief (previously What If Lab) who challenge the students to come up with innovative ideas that enhance the living environment for the residents from Kampung Susun Kunir, an urban neighbourhood in Jakarta which has emerged from forced eviction in 2015, and its neighbouring kampungs. The area around Kampung Susun Kunir is characterised by high population density and limited public space. “My hope for Kampung Susun Kunir is there will be a children’s playground and place for greenery,” shared Indri Yuliani, chairwoman of the Kunir cooperative

Living Labs: An Iterative Approach

Unlike traditional research projects, a Living Lab is characterized by an iterative process – solutions and ideas are developed and refined based on feedback and testing in the real-world situation.

Four students from Saxion and six students from UNAIR began collaborating virtually in September this year. Guided by Kampung Kollektief, the multidisciplinary team learned about the kampung’s historical ties to Kota Tua (Jakarta’s Old Town), the challenges at stake in the area after the eviction and they started to brainstorm what solutions could improve the local environment and enhance economic opportunities for the local community.

To test and refine these ideas in the real-world situation and deepen their collaboration with Kampung Susun Kunir’s community and Kampung Kollektief, the team travelled to Jakarta in November.

During this week-long visit, they engaged with various stakeholders including Kota Kita Foundation, the Dutch Embassy in Jakarta, Gudskul, Stuffo Makerspace and President University, whose students are focusing on Kunir’s tourism potential from an architecture perspective (read more here). Observing prototypes already in use, made by Kampung Kollektief, the offline interactions provided an opportunity to fine-tune ideas based on practical insights

“We explored the historical connection between Kampung Susun Kunir and Kota Tua, which has been instrumental in shaping ideas for future project planning that have a high potential for sustainable tourism and aim to develop projects that not only preserve the area's legacy but also promote its economic and social sustainability,” explained by Salsa, one of the UNAIR students. Merise, her teammate from Saxion, adds: “it has become much clearer how a kampung works and how the community interacts with each other. Additionally, by visiting the kampung we gained a better picture of what is important to the residents.”

During the offline week, the team identified several potential strategies to enhance the financial and social capacity of Kampung Susun Kunir by leveraging its connection to Kota Tua, including ideas to design a merchandise, developing a mobile playground and a multifunctional area along the riverside.

Fostering International Knowledge Exchange

“Working with the Dutch students has been truly enriching. Their innovation complements our local insights, creating a strong, goal-driven partnership. What stands out most is the seamless communication and positive interaction, making the project both enjoyable,” Salsa explained.

To recognize the value of working across different cultures, countries and disciplines, and effectively apply the intercultural competencies in the remaining time that the team will collaborate virtually, they engaged in an intercultural training hosted by Renjana Intercultural Specialist Services.

Next up: Working On Concrete and Tangible Outcomes

In the remaining two months that the team will continue their work virtually, the team will enter the phase where they turn their ideas into prototypes or models to visualize their concepts. “We will work towards developing an intervention that will help Kampung Susun Kunir to become an example for other kampungs,” Merise said.

By involving academia, industry, government and civil society, the so-called “quadruple helix”, to work together in sharing expertise and jointly address challenges, it is hoped that the outcomes presented by the students are sustainable solutions that benefit the kampung’s living environment, but also pave the way for further innovation and investments.

Stay tuned for more updates on the NLKH Living Lab’s progress. For any ideas or questions regarding the Living Lab, please contact ctroost@nuffic.nl