Stakeholder engagement to increase the impact of water technology case studies

Perkis. A.; Mansilla, W. A.; Glotzbach, R.; Munaretto, S.; Rubini, A.; Gervasio, I.; Argo, A.; Gowda, D. V. 2025. Stakeholder engagement to increase the impact of water technology case studies. Water Science and Technology, 91(5):524-539. [doi:https://doi.org/10.2166/wst.2025.004]

Successful uptake and acceptance of technologies and strategies for symbiotic solutions require active engagement of relevant stakeholder groups. By exchanging knowledge, developing ideas, and learning together, stakeholders contribute to innovative and sustainable water management solutions within industrial symbiosis. ULTIMATE fosters such engagement across its nine case studies (CS) through three approaches: eXtended Reality technologies for Immersive Media Experiences (IMX), Communities of Practice (CoPs), and Water-Oriented Living Labs (WOLLs). The IMX leverages a Place by Design Playbook to co-create tailored installations that represent CS experiences, augmented by synthetic overlays and gamification via an augmented reality app. CoPs, maintained as social learning systems, bring together experts and stakeholders to co-develop and support solutions. Meanwhile, WOLLs offer real-world environments to refine and test innovations, ensuring their relevance and adoption. Together, these approaches create a framework for fostering collaboration, innovation, and sustainable practices in industrial symbiosis.