Asez’s living lab – a platform for greentech research and innovation

By Matthew Cullinan – Infrastructure Development Executive

Cities are increasingly adopting urban living labs as sites of co-production aimed at testing alternative solutions based on product reuse, consumption reduction, and material recycling to promote the circular economy.

A living lab or living laboratory, is a user-centred, iterative, open-innovation ecosystem, often operating in a city, region or campus. It integrates research and innovation through public/private partnerships. The Atlantis Special Economic Zone (ASEZ) has adopted this living lab concept.

The ASEZ is a living lab and Eco-Industrial Park that showcases green technologies and researches how industrial development and industrial development zones can be low carbon, resource-efficient and socially inclusive. By sharing of lessons learned at the ASEZ, we hope to encourage the adoption of low carbon, resourceefficient and socially inclusive industrial development elsewhere. The Eco-Industrial Park model has been developed by the United Nations Industrial Development Organization (UNIDO). In South Africa it is actively championed by South Africa’s Department of Trade, Industry and Competition’s Regional Industrial Development unit and run by the National Cleaner Production Centre (with various international and local support agencies).

Investor benefits

The ASEZ offers considerable benefits for investors. These include improved energy security through the local generation of electricity via rooftop solar and the utilisation of waste as a resource through our activelymanaged industrial symbiosis programme. Building on this, the ASEZ is now exploring a green-star rating for the precinct and its buildings, further contributing to what our Eco-Industrial park can offer tenants. Consumers increasingly demand that companies and corporations act responsibly and sustainability. The ASEZ provides the perfect location for companies to build their ‘green’ profile and promote a circular economy through sustainable business practices.

Companies within the ASEZ are actively encouraged to reap the benefits of connecting to regional value chains, using of local skills and supporting the enterprises found in communities surrounding the SEZ. Matthew Cullinan