Evaluating urban metabolism assessment methods and knowledge transfer between scientists and practitioners: A combined framework for supporting practice-relevant research

Abstract

Recent years have seen a substantial growth in urban metabolism research, resulting from increasing scientific consensus that metabolic flow assessments can inform resource-efficient urban policy. However, only a few works report on retrospective evaluation of the relevance and impact of urban metabolism studies in urban planning. Practice-relevant urban metabolism research depends on the applicability of assessment methods as well as on the effectiveness of knowledge transfer between scientists and practitioners. This paper presents a retrospective evaluation of a collaborative urban metabolism project (EU-FP7 BRIDGE) conducted through empirical inquiry. The goal of the inquiry was to evaluate the applicability of the BRIDGE assessment method in urban planning and the effectiveness of the knowledge-transfer approach in one of the BRIDGE case-study cities (Helsinki, Finland) in a combined fashion. Through generalization of key findings on strengths and areas of improvement, a combined framework to evaluate both aspects in the design of urban metabolism projects is proposed. The framework aims at supporting scientists and practitioners in the development of collaborative research that can accommodate expectations as well as sustainability priorities and objectives of both parties.