Characteristics of Integration in Inter- and Transdisciplinary Urban Research and Practice

Abstract

In this chapter, the authors offer a philosophy of science perspective on the dimension of integration in inter-and transdisciplinary processes. In the first part of this chapter, the authors focus on identifying common denominators of characteristics of the outcomes of integration, differentiating between both types of integrative cross-disciplinarity namely, inter-and transdisciplinarity. In the second part of the chapter they discuss challenges and difficulties for transdisciplinary research and practice, and highlight its democratic potential in general and more specifically in the urban realm. Two other interdisciplinary fields, namely economic sociology and social robotics are used here to enhance understanding through the similarities and differences of urban and non urban research and practice. Transdisciplinary integration in urban planning and architecture typically aims at developing and supporting an intricate scenario that is entrenched.