Application and evaluation of a participatory “open innovation” approach (ROIR): The case of introducing zero-acreage farming in Berlin

This paper reports on the application and evaluation of a participatory approach called Regional Open Innovation Roadmapping (ROIR), which brings together different stakeholders to jointly develop strategies for the implementation of regional innovations. More specifically, ROIR is a tool to promote sustainable regional development that integrates “open innovation” elements in technology roadmapping. We applied this approach to the introduction of the innovative building-related urban agriculture subtype known as “Zero-acreage farming” (ZFarming) to the Berlin metropolitan area. ZFarming includes rooftop gardens, rooftop greenhouses, edible green walls, indoor farms and/or vertical greenhouses. Thus, the ROIR approach was applied between 2011 and 2013 to define sustainable development options for ZFarming in Berlin, specifically aiming both to find possible ZFarming models for Berlin and to develop guidelines for their sustainable implementation. During the participatory process, approximately 50 contributors established a stakeholder network and jointly defined a roadmap to enable administrators, politicians, citizens and practitioners to effectively address ZFarming. An ex-post evaluation was conducted in 2014 via an online survey to estimate the effects of the ROIR approach on (a) knowledge generation, (b) new stakeholder network establishment, (c) new project implementation and (d) the general perception of ZFarming. The results revealed that the ROIR process stimulated the establishment of new networks and alliances, contributed to knowledge generation and created a common understanding for the future implementation of ZFarming among diverse stakeholders.