Exploring the connection between transdisciplinary co-production and urban sustainability solutions: a case study at an urban stream management symposium

Urban sustainability challenges are complex, impacting a wide range of stakeholders. It is commonly accepted that sustainable solutions must integrate scientific knowledge from variety disciplines, coupled with community stakeholder ideas, norms, and practices in ways link to decision-making action. Jointly researching problems co-designing solutions, known as co-production, requires working together teams. Interestingly, the intersection co-production team science has been understudied. We address this gap by asking: Does formation – specifically, single-, multi- or trans-disciplinary teams impact process perceived efficacy solutions? Using case study data collected at 5th Symposium for Urbanization Stream Ecology (SUSE5), held February 2020, we explore bringing different types generate real-world “wicked problems” surrounding urban streams Austin, Texas. found generated i.e., include multiple disciplines members were on average rated higher their peers than single- multi-disciplinary However, our findings suggest some transdisciplinary it difficult get through stages problem definition solution design. The limited but novel unique make two important contributions literature. First, leads more agreeable challenges. Second, dynamics likely be complicated variable disciplinary multidisciplinary A better understanding these opportunities can inform institutions agencies employing community-engaged solve