Beschreibung:
<jats:sec><jats:title content-type="abstract-heading">Purpose</jats:title><jats:p>The purpose of this paper is to introduce an approach for dynamically assessing the transition from partition to integration within a multi‐disciplinary research/urban regeneration project and its effect on the relative sustainability of interventions proposed.</jats:p></jats:sec><jats:sec><jats:title content-type="abstract-heading">Design/methodology/approach</jats:title><jats:p>Stated sustainability aims of the research project are deconstructed in discussion with the multi‐disciplinary teams and stakeholders involved to give transparency to values held. Indicators are defined separately by the teams and then collectively. A framework for assessment is developed from a combination of ideas in research and practice and from a social science perspective. The thesis of the project that there are “significant social, economic and environmental gains to be made by integrated and innovative interventions in urban river corridors” is iteratively tested against the framework in open discussions enabling the framework's continual refinement.</jats:p></jats:sec><jats:sec><jats:title content-type="abstract-heading">Findings</jats:title><jats:p>The dynamics of sustainability assessment as a process rather than a product are captured. A means of mapping the transition from multi‐disciplinary to inter‐ (or even trans‐) disciplinary research is proposed, which enables assessment of the effect of integrative working on the sustainability of interventions in complex systems of urban living.</jats:p></jats:sec><jats:sec><jats:title content-type="abstract-heading">Research limitations/implications</jats:title><jats:p>Frameworks of assessment are self‐limiting because they lack the ability to truly describe context, yet they are needed by assessors of sustainability in order to provide structure to discussions.</jats:p></jats:sec><jats:sec><jats:title content-type="abstract-heading">Practical implications</jats:title><jats:p>Proposed visual representation of this technique using up‐to‐date models will support a deliberative, discussion‐led dialogue between stakeholders.</jats:p></jats:sec><jats:sec><jats:title content-type="abstract-heading">Originality/value</jats:title><jats:p>The paper presents a new approach to sustainability assessment capturing the dynamics of shared learning and progress towards greater sustainability, whilst retaining the flexibility to include issues of transitory importance.</jats:p></jats:sec>