Who collaborates and innovates in architecture and urban design projects?

Abstract

It is widely known that collaboration and innovation (C&I) do not occur naturally in all organizations. In response, most organizations designate an internal person or unit or an external consultant or outsource to act as a C&I champion, responsible for fostering integration, facilitating communication, exchanging information, and creating the conditions for alternative solutions to emerge. C&I champions have been largely documented in projects conducted within organizations. However, architecture and urban design projects are not usually conducted by a single organization, but instead by a complex, temporary group of heterogeneous organizations called a temporary multiorganization (TMO). What sorts of C&I champions contribute to these complex TMOs? How do they operate? Based on case studies of recent architecture and urban design projects conducted in Canada, we propose a typology of actors that foster C&I in this sector. Seven types of C&I champions are identified, and the differences between them are described and analyzed. The results provide a useful management framework for architecture and urban planning professionals, who are often unaware of the high C&I potential in an industry that is largely regarded as conflict-prone and innovation-adverse.