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SIMmobil

Vienna Citizen & Stakeholder Engagement

General facts

Description & main goal

SIMmobil – mobile information bus

Category
Urban living lab
Deployment area
Wien – Simmering
Involved actors and their role

Project leader ST Vienna / Task leader Participation: Julia Girardi-Hoog

Gebietsbetreuung Stadterneuerung GB* 3/11 (major implementation partner for all participation activities)

VHS Simmering (implementation partner for participation activities)

Neue Mittelschulen Enkplatz I+II (ST refurbishment and energy partner as well as partner in specific participation activities)

Siemens Leberstraße (ST implementation partner in e-mobility as well as in focus group communication)

Wiener Stadtwerke (ST implementation partner in e-mobility as well as in focus group communication)

Key-contact person
Julia Girardi-Hoog

Specific facts

Target groups

The target group of the Urban Living Lab Vienna:

  • Residents of the project area and other interested citizens
  • Pupils as multipliers and ambassadors for Smart City solutions
  • Local businesspeople, social and cultural initiatives and representatives of institutions in the project area 
  •  Local policy makers

Opinion leaders & multipliers

Location

The lab is mobile and meant to visit different locations in the project area in order to attract the maximum possible attention and outreach. Its main location is intended on two squares, that are important to the neighbourhood.

Urban Lab Strategy and Measures

A scouting approach was chosen for the urban living lab. The lab changes locations and visits citizens and stakeholders with different informational material and activities offers. 
1.       Develop concept, design and action plan for mobile lab
2.       Search and purchase suitable vehicle
3.       Convert vehicle into Urban Living Lab by
a.       Branding with CI
b.       Building interior
4.       Appoint staff to the lab
5.       Operation of the lab according to action plan
a.       Organise kick-off party
b.       Organize events (mobility month)
c.       Visit street festivals
d.       Inform citizens and stakeholders
e.       Conduct polls

Implementation status

In which phase is the project (Planning, Implementation, Operation or Evaluation)?
Operation phase
What is the current implementation status/ what is the current activity step?
The Lab (SIMmobil) is currently in the operational phase. It is used in public areas for communication and information of the inhabitants of the target area.
Is the implementation process on time or are there any derivations? Please outline any changes and reasons.
On time
Which project steps were performed since the last project reporting?
The SIMmobil refined and different add-ons were installed (a solar panel on the roof, a bike generator, an energy quiz)
The SIMmobil was used for different information events (eg. VHS engagement event on energy).
Have there been changes regarding the planned solution? Please outline any changes and reasons.
In addition to the SIMmobil a second lab (eg. a “snack stand”) was planned. However, as the SIMmobil is used on the street respectively in public areas, a second lab isn´t needed anymore.
 

Complete 75%

Risk and challenges

Which risks & challenges is the project currently facing?

It is challenging to engage as many inhabitants of the target area as possible.

Which are critical or seem invincible? Please provide a detailed description

None.

Which previously identified risks and challenges have you managed successfully and how

See above (Bike generator)

Lessons Learned and Recommendations

Which lessons learned can be derived up to this point from the implementation process?

Have external recommendations / lessons learnt from other projects (not in the WIKI) been used for the project development? 
- If yes, which ones and how?
Would this example be a good add to the Wiki?
The practical experience from the local urban renewal office (Gebietsbetreuung – GB*)was very helpful.
ICEC Project – Information on experiences on urban living labs from other EU projects
Have relevant internal recommendations / lessons from the WIKI’s best practices been used for the project development? 
If yes, which ones and how?
No
Is the development/ implementation of the project affected/ supported by the peer-to-peer knowledge exchange and cooperative problem solving in Smarter Together? How did the peer-to-peer process support the project? 
Cooperation on national level with the urban renewable office
No peer-to-peer exchange on international level.
Which lessons learned can be derived up to this point from the implementation process?
It is very important to be on-site and offer information in public areas also during events. People pass by an become curious.
Give aways are helpful to attract attention especially from the youth.
What could be done better in comparable future projects (what needs to be done and what needs to be prevented)
The cooperation with existing local institutions should be sought very early. So they can be integrated into the design phase and on this way the identification with such a lab (SIMmobil) and the project as a whole is increased.
Would you describe the project as best practice project and interesting for the WIKI? If yes, in what regard?
Yes, together with the connected “urban living lab _ engagement” project.
 

Next steps & To Do ́s

Please shortly outline the next steps planned for the implementation of the project.
The SIMmobil will be present at the upcoming engagement events (VHS, schools etc.).
Are there additional steps planned due to occurred challenges? Which corrective activities have been taken?
For reaching a broader target group respectively as many inhabitants as possible, a new focus will be put on pupils and schools. For making the SIMmobil more attractive to pupils, the bike generator was included in the SIMmobil.
 

Implementation status

In which phase is the project (Planning, Implementation, Operation or Evaluation)?
Operation phase
What is the current implementation status/ what is the current activity step?
The Lab (SIMmobil) is currently in the operational phase. It is used in public areas for communication and information of the inhabitants of the target area.
The project is still in the operational phase.
The duration per location is about 5-6 weeks.
Is the implementation process on time or are there any derivations? Please outline any changes and reasons.
On time
Which project steps were performed since the last project reporting?
The „Graetzlrad“ was available at the SIM mobil and could be tried out for 6 weeks in July and August.
One of the „beat the street“ boxes was attached at the SIM mobil and it was possible to get bonus points there.
The SIM mobil was used for different information events (eg. VHS engagement event on energy).
Have there been changes regarding the planned solution? Please outline any changes and reasons.
In addition to the SIMmobil a second lab (eg. a “snack stand”) was planned. However, as the SIMmobil is used on the street respectively in public areas, a second lab isn´t needed anymore.
 

Complete 75%

Risk and challenges

Which risks & challenges is the project currently facing?

It is challenging to engage as many inhabitants of the target area as possible.
All events and their success is dependent on the weather. 

Which are critical or seem invincible? Please provide a detailed description

None.

Which previously identified risks and challenges have you managed successfully and how

The tenants of Hauffgasse were averse to the refurbishment. So particular attention was paid to discussion in smaller groups. Also Wr. Wohnen (developer) was supported with a different moderation format during the information evening.

Lessons Learned and Recommendations

Which lessons learned can be derived up to this point from the implementation process?

Have external recommendations / lessons learnt from other projects (not in the WIKI) been used for the project development? 
- If yes, which ones and how?
Would this example be a good add to the Wiki?
No
Have relevant internal recommendations / lessons from the WIKI’s best practices been used for the project development? 
If yes, which ones and how?
No
Is the development/ implementation of the project affected/ supported by the peer-to-peer knowledge exchange and cooperative problem solving in Smarter Together? How did the peer-to-peer process support the project? 
Not yet.

During an informal exchange at the smarter together meeting in Venice, Italy an interesting concept for Vienna came up. Short term before the school starts there is a driving restriction in front of the schools.

The other way round, Venice bought a bus and adapted it, similar to the SIM mobil. 
Which lessons learned can be derived up to this point from the implementation process?
The cooperation with local clubs (also off topic) is very helpful for reaching broad target groups.
Engagement processes need many resources (people, money, time).

The information evening at Lorystraße was highly frequented (also from working people) because it tackled their own needs.

Project specific events seldom reach a high frequency. It´s better to connect them to existing formats (e.g. “Gehkaffe” from the mobility agency or Walking star from the GB*. 

Informations have to be “real” meaning e.g. onsite or something to try out like e-cars or e-bikes. Also the “Gretzlrad” is well used because they can try it out.

Gamification works well, also in a public area and over generations.

Changes produce fear and defence but they also move people which increases the engagement. Through a good moderation and carefully selected measures (no forum discussions but working topic specific in smaller groups) resistances can be dissolved. This makes people active and the willingness to participate is bigger.

A better understanding between developers and tenants is crucial especially in new development areas.

What could be done better in comparable future projects (what needs to be done and what needs to be prevented)
The cooperation with local clubs (also off topic) should be sought earlier.

The increased use of gamification.
Would you describe the project as best practice project and interesting for the WIKI? If yes, in what regard?
Yes, together with SIMmobil.
 

Next steps & To Do ́s

Please shortly outline the next steps planned for the implementation of the project.
The SIMmobil will be present at the upcoming engagement events (VHS, schools etc.).
In November the SIM mobil will be at the Siemens area for one day and inform potentially 2.000 employees mainly about the measures at Siemens (mobility managemet measures, e-cars, e-bikes, carpooling, energy quiz etc.). The focus is on mobility because the employees mainly live outside the target area.
Are there additional steps planned due to occurred challenges? Which corrective activities have been taken?
For reaching a broader target group respectively as many inhabitants as possible, a new focus will be put on pupils and schools. For making the SIMmobil more attractive to pupils, the bike generator was included in the SIMmobil.
Due to the delay of the e-bike sharing station the „Gretzlrad“ was bought and advertised. 
Some people only came to the SIM mobil for getting the give-aways and weren´t not really interested. For this reason, an energy quiz was developed (for three age groups; kids, teens and adults) and the give-aways are only given out after a finished energy quiz. In this way the learning effect is much bigger and the visitors accept it.
 

Implementation status

In which phase is the project (Planning, Implementation, Operation or Evaluation)?
Operation phase
What is the current implementation status/ what is the current activity step?
The Lab (SIMmobil) is currently in the operational phase. It is used in public areas for communication and information of the inhabitants of the target area.
The project is still in the operational phase.
The duration per location is about 5-6 weeks.
There was a winter break during the last months. The planning of the upcoming program is running. The activities will start again in April.
The GB* moved to their new office in the tenth district of Vienna. The high-load e-bike (Grätzlrad) can currently be lent out there.
Is the implementation process on time or are there any derivations? Please outline any changes and reasons.
On time
Which project steps were performed since the last project reporting?
The SIM mobil refined and diffenrent add-ons were installed (a solar panel on the roof, a bike generator, an energy quiz)
The „Graetzlrad“ was available at the SIM mobil and could be tried out for 6 weeks in July and August.
One of the „beat the street“ boxes was attached at the SIM mobil and it was possible to get bonus points there.
The SIM mobil was used for different information events (eg. VHS engagement event on energy).
In November the SIM mobil was located at Siemens – the focus of the information was on the project Smarter Together and on mobility. The interest of the employees was big.
Have there been changes regarding the planned solution? Please outline any changes and reasons.
In addition to the SIMmobil a second lab (eg. a “snack stand”) was planned. However, as the SIMmobil is used on the street respectively in public areas, a second lab isn´t needed anymore.
A tablet was bought for the SIM mobil. It will be used for digital support – knowledge carrier, energy info etc.
 

Complete 75%

Risk and challenges

Which risks & challenges is the project currently facing?

It is challenging to engage as many inhabitants of the target area as possible.
All events and their success is dependent on the weather. 
The fitting locations for the SIM mobil have to be balanced between frequency and space – a high visibility often contradicts enough space for trying out things.
The location permission was not approved everywhere. This will have no further impact.

Which are critical or seem invincible? Please provide a detailed description

None.

Which previously identified risks and challenges have you managed successfully and how

See above (Bike generator)

Lessons Learned and Recommendations

Which lessons learned can be derived up to this point from the implementation process?

Have external recommendations / lessons learnt from other projects (not in the WIKI) been used for the project development? 
- If yes, which ones and how?
Would this example be a good add to the Wiki?
The practical experience from the local urban renewal office (Gebietsbetreuung – GB*)was very helpful.
ICEC Project – Information on experiences on urban living labs from other EU projects
Have relevant internal recommendations / lessons from the WIKI’s best practices been used for the project development? 
If yes, which ones and how?
No
Is the development/ implementation of the project affected/ supported by the peer-to-peer knowledge exchange and cooperative problem solving in Smarter Together? How did the peer-to-peer process support the project? 
Cooperation on national level with the urban renewable office
No peer-to-peer exchange on international level.
The idea for the bike ring as a give-away came from Munich. 
Which lessons learned can be derived up to this point from the implementation process?
It is very important to be on-site and offer information in public areas also during events. People pass by an become curious.
Give aways are helpful to attract attention especially from the youth.
The tool SIM mobil is very suitable for heterogeneous areas 
Different target groups can be reached at different locations (pupils in front of the school, working people in front of the grocery or at a bus station with bigger intervals) of the SIM mobil. 
It is important to stay longer at each location because the activation of the people works best when they pass by. 
The free bike check worked well due to its monetary value. 
Because the SIM mobil is standing in public areas it fits well for talking about the improvement of public areas.
The Grätzlrad attracts the attention due to its physical presence.
What could be done better in comparable future projects (what needs to be done and what needs to be prevented)
The cooperation with existing local institutions should be sought very early. So they can be integrated into the design phase and on this way the identification with such a lab (SIMmobil) and the project as a whole is increased.
The use of participatory tools (e.g. e-rad and e-stepper for generating energy) should be increased but it is important to use tools which are very solid/ for which high quality respectively long usability can be guaranteed
Would you describe the project as best practice project and interesting for the WIKI? If yes, in what regard?
Yes, together with the connected “urban living lab _ engagement” project.
 

Next steps & To Do ́s

Please shortly outline the next steps planned for the implementation of the project.
The SIM mobil will be present at the upcoming engagement events (VHS, schools etc.).
In November the SIM mobil will be at the Siemens area for one day and inform potentially 2.000 employees mainly about the measures at Siemens (mobility managemet measures, e-cars, e-bikes, carpooling, energy quiz etc.). The focus is on mobility because the employees mainly live outside the target area.
The free bike check was accepted very well by the inhabitants – especially for children bikes – and actively demanded. It will be arranged again.
The science pool will support the SIM mobil at special occasions. Also the Grätzlrad will be available at the SIM mobil where it can be lent and returned.
Due to a cooperation with ÖAMTC (Austrian Automotive, Motorcycle and Touring Club) a driver safety training for bikes will be promoted an carried out.
Are there additional steps planned due to occurred challenges? Which corrective activities have been taken?
For reaching a broader target group respectively as many inhabitants as possible, a new focus will be put on pupils and schools. For making the SIMmobil more attractive to pupils, the bike generator was included in the SIMmobil.
Due to the delay of the e-bike sharing station the „Graetzlrad“ was bought and advertised. 
Some people only came to the SIM mobil for getting the give-aways and weren´t not really interested. For this reason, an energy quiz was developed (for three age groups; kids, teens and adults) and the give-aways are only given out after a finished energy quiz. In this way the learning effect is much bigger and the visitors accept it.