Abstract
This study analyses a real-world experiment (RWE) on heat transition in the urban context of a city–university partnership in Bochum, Germany, highlighting the theoretical foundations, methodological design and practical challenges of transdisciplinary research. Informed by concepts of transdisciplinarity and RWEs, the study situates RWEs as hybrid infrastructures linking scientific enquiry with societal transformation. Transdisciplinarity is conceptualised as a reflexive and integrative principle that fosters reciprocal learning between academic, municipal and civic actors. The research applies the Three-Circle Model of actor involvement as a heuristic to map the evolving, and over time changing, roles of stakeholders. The study employs participatory observation, ethnographic field notes, document analysis and informal interviews. The findings reveal how RWEs function as relational infrastructures that balance experimental rigor with public accessibility, while navigating challenges such as power asymmetries, participation myths and institutional constraints. By embedding agile methods and low-threshold participation formats into everyday urban settings, RWEs emerge as sites of co-creation, democratic innovation and iterative learning. The study offers practical guidance for designing inclusive, transdisciplinary experiments that bridge theory and practice in urban transformation.
Practice relevance
The organisation of an RWE on heat transition in a German city offers insights for practitioners and policymakers engaged in urban transformation. The project demonstrates how academic institutions, municipal administration and citizens can co-develop participatory formats that translate complex topics—e.g. district heating—into accessible, low-threshold engagement opportunities. By scrutinising stakeholder roles and involvement, the analysis shows how responsibilities and influence may shift over time, highlighting the importance of flexible communication structures. Key lessons include the value of short-term, event-based participation to stimulate citizen engagement, the need to balance methodology with accessibility, and the potential of RWEs to foster collaboration across fragmented structures in public administration. For policymakers, the study describes RWEs as effective tools for strengthening public acceptance, testing innovative governance models and stabilising contested transitions. Practitioners gain practical guidance on designing inclusive, adaptive processes that align research with municipal needs.