Transdisciplinary sport and physical activity development in urban real-world labs
International Journal of Sports Marketing and Sponsorship
ISSN: 1464-6668
Article publication date: 23 March 2021
Issue publication date: 12 October 2021
Abstract
Purpose
The aim of this paper is to present a research approach that can contribute to a sustainable development of urban spaces for sports and physical activity, comprising theoretical reflections and directions for applied research.
Design/methodology/approach
This research builds on an urban real-world lab in a city district. It is based on principles of transdisciplinary research and intense processes of participation.
Findings
Five projects with regard to sport and physical activity development were implemented. The projects resulted in exchange and learning of citizens and other stakeholders as well as transformations of the social and built environment.
Research limitations/implications
Instead of top-down research and planning this approach enables bottom-up processes in which affected citizens and stakeholders can contribute to sport and physical activity development.
Practical implications
The approach can help to integrate sport and physical activity development and transformative processes of sustainable development in urban areas.
Social implications
Through participation and involvement, citizens can be empowered and social capital can be generated.
Originality/value
Urban real-world labs are a new approach for sport and physical activity development. This approach opens up the possibility to include sport and physical activity development in processes of city development. Hence, urban real-world labs are able to address an integrated urban and sport development process and can be used for city marketing purposes.
Keywords
Acknowledgements
The project R131 was carried out at the Institute for Technology Assessment and Systems Analysis (ITAS) at Karlsruhe Institute of Technology and was funded by the Ministry of Science, Research, and Art Baden Württemberg from 2015 to 2017. A supporting accompanying research for all funded projects was also part of the support from the ministry. The Citizen Forum (“BürgerForum”) was realized with support from the city of Karlsruhe and the Bertelsmann-Foundation in 2015.
Citation
Wäsche, H., Beecroft, R., Trenks, H., Seebacher, A. and Parodi, O. (2021), "Transdisciplinary sport and physical activity development in urban real-world labs", International Journal of Sports Marketing and Sponsorship, Vol. 22 No. 4, pp. 816-833. https://doi.org/10.1108/IJSMS-05-2020-0081
Publisher
:Emerald Publishing Limited
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