Transdisciplinarity in Practice - Experiences from Finnish Planning Organizations

Abstract

In this article, the co-productive practices of planners are discussed so as to enhance understanding of how transdisciplinarity (TD) may be materializing in planning organizations. The article is based on an interview study conducted in the six largest cities in Finland.
 

The findings are in line with TD literature, suggesting that implementing TD knowledge production is challenging. The study shows that planning is regarded as inherently collaborative and interactive, as something that cannot be done alone. Co-creative methods are, however, not rooted in the daily practices of planners. Interaction happens for the most part in informal discussions and normative meetings, and cross-sectoral knowledge co-creation is thus not achieved. Concerns hindering effective knowledge co-production include time constraints, intensified by politically set priorities emphasizing urban growth.
 

Planning practices that lack a TD approach therefore involve risks: for instance, alternative scenarios might not be studied effectively, and research materials and scientific knowledge may be left underutilized. The conclusions indicate a need for a TD-oriented mindset and better practices and tools to support TD knowledge creation, as well as for a revision of the priorities of planning, considering the urgency of the global climate crisis.