10 Research on sustainable urbanization Box 10-1
Science in the context of the Great Transformation The WBGU explicitly stresses freedom of research: basic research should not be called into question by transformative or transformation research, but supplemented by it. The purpose of transformative and transformation research is to broaden the range of different types of science – from disciplinary basic research to inter- and transdisciplinary applied research. Traditional disciplinary (basic) research forms the centre of the science system. Knowledge-oriented research helps us attain broader understanding of the societal, natural and technical environment. This means that this type of research is also an important foundation for opinion formation and democracy. Alongside basic research, application-oriented research and technology development have a fixed place in
the research and research-funding landscape. In the WBGU’s view, sustainability-oriented transformative and transformation research are not yet sufficiently developed and rooted in the research landscape. The WBGU advocates extending the research system to make additional room for research that is oriented towards societal objectives (WBGU, 2011). The blurring of boundaries between the science system and the system of societal and political processes has triggered an intensive debate on scientific and political theory (e. g. Strohschneider, 2014; Ober, 2014; Schneidewind, 2014; Grunwald, 2015). A more intense politicization of science should also be seen in the context of potential dangers, e. g. the abuse of research by totalitarian systems or an orientation towards the objectives of interest groups in democracies. The WBGU therefore emphasizes the importance of discussing the essence of research and its orientation towards sustainability goals. This discussion is of key importance for the way society deals with far-reaching transformation processes.
Table 10-1 Research on the urban transformation: key issues of content, requirements and basic recommendations. Source: WBGU
Key issues of content in research Requirements regarding transdisciplinary research for the urban transformation on the urban transformation Systemic view, if possible considering all three dimensions of the normative compass: >> Urban metabolism (e. g. building materials, phosphorus, electronic waste) >> Urban form >> Inclusion (urban quality of life, inequality) >> Urban health >> Mobility and transport >> Urban land use >> Governance (indicators, facilitating an urban ‘foreign policy’) Cross-cutting issues of research for the urban transformation: >> Pool of data available to global transformation research >> Meta-reflection on transdisciplinarity and participation >> Trade-offs and synergies between the sustaining of the natural life-support systems, inclusion and Eigenart in the urban space
424
>> Normative orientation: guiding
concept of sustainable urban development in the context of sustaining the natural life-support systems, inclusion and Eigenart >> Structural principles: orientation of research to societal needs by co-design and co-production of knowledge; solution orientation; reflectivity >> Results and effects: generation of sustainable alternatives to existing technologies and social practices by technological, social or governance innovation; development of capacity at the individual and institutional level; structure formation
Basic recommendations for further developed research on the urban transformation Coordinate a participatory roadmap process, with the BMBF as the central player: 1. Strengthen basic research on the urban transformation 2. Set up new data infrastructures as a basis for indicator formation and the monitoring of the urban transformation 3. Establish new forms of global agenda-setting processes for urban transformation research 4. Build long-term transdisciplinary research centres at the urban and regional level 5. Press ahead with international capacity development in the research field