Linking Local Projects With Global Processes: Learning From Transdisciplinary Collaborations in African Cities

Abstract

The central role of science and robust data sets as a means for advancing sustainable development has gained traction across science and policy communities globally. Furthermore, strengthening the science-policy interface in ways that link scientific knowledge production and societal problem solving requires both inter-disciplinary collaborations, as well as collaboration between researchers and extra-scientific actors. The paucity of data and understanding of the distinctive dynamics shaping Africa's urban transition provide an increasing impetus for engaging alternate and inclusive knowledge partnerships. Whilst the number of knowledge collaborations across African cities is increasing steadily, critical engagement with the practice of transdisciplinary approaches and the potential these alternate knowledge configurations might have for steering Africa's urban future(s) is limited. Drawing on the application of transdisciplinary approaches across 11 projects from the Leading Integrated Research for Agenda 2030 in Africa (LIRA 2030 Africa) programme on Advancing the implementation of SDG 11 in cities in Africa, this paper provides insights into the role of transdisciplinary approaches in bridging between local projects and global agendas. Evidence from the LIRA programme illustrates a positive relationship between carefully and purposefully constituted project teams who engage deeply with local contexts and the relevance of the resulting interventions. The common but differentiated experiences across the LIRA projects make it clear that the future of African urbanism is not singular but differentiated according to different local contexts. These projects simultaneously address the conceptual and service delivery deficits in local areas, whilst highlighting blind spots in global policy agendas that are misaligned to the complexity of African cities. The significance of transdisciplinary approaches that link the “what” to the “how” of urban change, is found to be critical in data poor post-colonial contexts, which are urgently in need of evidence-based policy reform shaping the reconfiguration of service delivery mechanisms. Finally, the significance of transdisciplinary research by early career scholars in and of Africa serves to shift the political economy of research on Africa, contributing to the transformative potential of urban experimentation in bridging between the global and the local.

LIRA 2030 Africa: Learning from Practising Transdisciplinary Research for Sustainable Development in African Cities

“…The scientific and societal goals of projects were driven by local priorities, addressing conceptual and delivery deficits in local areas, and simultaneously contributing to highlighting blind spots in global policy agendas that are misaligned to the complexity of African cities. The projects also highlighted the extent to which there is still a knowledge lacuna about the functioning and systems underpinning urban processes in African cities (Patel et al, 2022). The projects provided the evidence and basis for theoretical development from the global south by engaging critically with the gaps between theory and practice in conceptions of urban transitions.…”

From reflection diaries to practical guidance for transdisciplinary research: learnings from a Kenyan air pollution project

“…It is increasingly acknowledged that the iterative and emergent nature of TDR approaches are particularly useful for addressing challenges in urban contexts in Africa (see for example Ambole et al 2019 ; Buyana et al 2019 ; Mulligan et al 2020 ; Thondhlana et al 2021 ), where weak governance systems and high levels of inequality, corruption and informality are common features (Patel et al 2022 ; van Breda and Swilling 2019 ; Thiam et al 2021 ). In her review of a set of African TDR case studies, Patel points to the important role that TDR approaches play in post-colonial societies, both in tailoring interventions to meet situated, local needs, but also in “shifting the political economy of research on Africa” by centering the research contributions of African academics (Patel et al 2022 , p. 12). In their review of the same programme, Odume et al point to the challenges encountered in the “joint conceptual threshold crossing” that is required for true knowledge co-production to take place, and to the need for institutional linking (Odume et al 2021 , p. 121).…”