Urban Sustainability Transitions Research

Urban sustainability transitions research has emerged as a prominent field of study since the late 2000s. This chapter traces the historic evolution of the field, offering a concise overview of key debates. It defines key terms, explores epistemological entry points and examines methodological implications of studying urban sustainability transitions. The chapter further delves into recent discussions and controversies, focusing on actors, agency and intermediation for urban change, the governance of transformative urban change, and the development of urban transformative capacities. Drawing on the “City of the Future” project in Dresden, Germany (2015 – 2022), it illustrates how research in this field can be practically applied. The chapter concludes with an outlook on emerging research priorities and methodological innovations, advocating for a paradigm shift in research designs and funding. Specifically, it calls for a move away from short-term, projectified research on urban change toward the establishment of long-term real-world laboratories. These laboratories would serve as enduring social research infrastructures, fostering sustained partnerships among academia, administration, policymakers, businesses, civil society and citizens to collectively experiment with and navigate transformative urban change across interconnected systems.