A Multidimensional Framework for Evaluating Socio-Technical Innovation Readiness in Urban Living Labs: Methodology and Application

Urban Living Labs (ULLs) are increasingly used as platforms for co-creation and experimentation of socio-technical innovations in real-world settings. However, evaluating these innovations often lacks integrated frameworks considering both technological and social aspects. This paper proposes a multidimensional evaluation framework designed to assess the maturity and scalability of innovations developed within ULLs, incorporating four complementary perspectives: Technological Readiness Level (TRL), Societal Readiness Level (SRL), Organizational Readiness Level (ORL), and Scaling Readiness (ScR). The framework is applied to a pilot project carried out in the urban garden of the ULL in Fenicia, Bogota, where an IoTbased soil monitoring sensor was implemented and iteratively codeveloped with community members, a tech startup, government actors, and academic researchers. The analysis shows how each dimension offers critical insights into the innovation's development, adoption potential, and capacity for replication beyond the local context. This approach provides a replicable tool for guiding decision-making and increasing the impact of experimental interventions in ULLs, especially in complex urban environments of the Global South.