Experimenting in the city:unpacking notions of experimentation for sustainability

This chapter articulates a comprehensive definition of the notion of ‘experimentation’ in the context of urban sustainability transitions. Highlighting a number of key dimensions, we argue that experiments can be analysed according to the degree to which they are (1) inclusive, (2) systemic, (3) practice-based, (4) challenge-led and (5) adaptive in the face of uncertainty and ambiguity in fostering socio-technical change. We point out a number of urban governance challenges related to coordination, commitment and negotiation, and we highlight a number of promising avenues for future research on experimenting in the city