Pedagogy 2025
Abstract
This paper presents findings from the Real World Laboratories of the Klimapolis Institute of Science and Technology (CNPq/Brazil), which established Urban Labs in São Paulo and Natal to explore the intersections of governance, urban planning, and climate resilience in socially and environmentally vulnerable areas. These laboratories serve as experimental and participatory platforms where researchers, authorities, and local stakeholders collaborate to tackle urgent urban issues. Social learning and communication are central to these initiatives, as they facilitate knowledge exchange and foster collective agreements for sustainability and adaptation. To support this, various communication tools were utilized to promote a three-way flow of information among researchers, policymakers, and communities, thereby strengthening the co-production of knowledge. In São Paulo, the “Lab Itaim Paulista” and “Lab Ermelino” exemplify this approach by connecting technical solutions with local culture and political perspectives. Their experiences highlight both opportunities and challenges in integrating technical data with community expertise and cultural practices, especially in neighborhoods prone to climate extremes. The development of media-based tools—such as booklets, videos, and social media posts—proved essential in promoting inclusive and balanced dialogue across academic, political, and community sectors. The paper discusses the limitations of these approaches and identifies key factors for fostering shared perspectives on local sustainability. By emphasizing the complexities of knowledge integration and participatory learning, the study underscores the need to refine Real World Laboratory methods to enhance resilience in urban peripheries
Ana Paula Koury is a professor of architecture and urbanism at Mackenzie Presbyterian University in São Paulo. Her research concentrates on social housing, urban peripheries, and climate change. She leads urban real-world labs in São Paulo’s eastern zone and is a member of the Brazilian research network INCT Klimapolis, and was a visiting scholar at the research group Urban Future-Making.
Kauan Gabriel Rosa Santos
Arthur Alves da Costa