TY - JOUR T1 - Transdisciplinary Research in the Built Environment: A Question of Time JF - Technology Innovation Management Review Y1 - 2018 A1 - Paula Femenías A1 - Liane Thuvander KW - built environment KW - consecutive projects KW - innovation processes KW - practical experiences KW - sustainable renovation KW - transdisciplinary research AB - In this article, we reflect on 14 years of experience with transdisciplinary research in the built environment. We critically consider challenges and pitfalls in relation to normative definitions of transdisciplinary research derived from the literature. Our experiences from five transdisciplinary research projects are presented with a focus on each project’s aim, size, organization of work, and funding. Results show that different kinds of transdisciplinary research approaches co-exist and that these can serve different purposes and situations. In most cases, transdisciplinary projects lead to raised levels of awareness of the complexity of real-world problems among participating partners. In some cases, the outcome is a useful innovation, in order to support such innovation, a focus on real cases is encouraged. However, there might be a trade-off between the focused attention on a real case and the maintained interest among diverse participants in a larger project. An important insight is that innovation and knowledge development through transdisciplinary settings take time. It is favourable for the development of networks, common visions, trust, and innovation if consecutive transdisciplinary projects can be arranged with the same partners. We conclude the article by providing practical guidelines to support the management of transdisciplinary projects. PB - Talent First Network CY - Ottawa VL - 8 UR - https://timreview.ca/article/1176 IS - 8 U1 - Chalmers University of Technology Paula Femenías is an Associate Professor in the Department of Architecture and Civil Engineering at Chalmers University of Technology in Gothenburg, Sweden. Femenías works mainly in transdisciplinary and collaborative research projects with the aim of understanding and supporting innovation towards more sustainable building and transformation of the built environment. A special interest is the links between architectural design and long-term environmental, economic, cultural, and social sustainability. Femenías conducts research with others within SIRen (strong research environment for Sustainable Integrated Renovation), the Centre for Residential Architecture at Chalmers, and HSB Living Lab. U2 - Chalmers University of Technology Liane Thuvander is an Associate Professor in the Department of Architecture and Civil Engineering at Chalmers University of Technology in Gothenburg, Sweden. Her research interests concern the field of sustainable building, especially with regards to the visualization of environmental and social aspects in existing buildings; sustainable integrated renovation; and implementation of sustainable building knowledge in practice. With others, she develops visualization strategies and methodologies for spatial value mapping involving participatory approaches in renovation and transformation of neighbourhoods. A major part of Thuvander’s research is carried out in interdisciplinary or transdisciplinary environments with partners from academia, municipalities, NGOs, authorities, and a number of actors in the construction sector such as property managers, architects, and technical consultants. ER -