Title: Transdisciplinary engineering development and integrated water management: an Australian case example

Authors: Ronald C. Beckett; John P.T. Mo

Addresses: School of Business, Law and Entrepreneurship, Swinburne University of Technology, Hawthorn, 3122, Australia ' School of Engineering, RMIT University, Bundoora East Campus, 3083, Australia

Abstract: Responses to complex sustainability issues and new technology emergence (e.g., industry 4.0) require consideration of both social and technology factors, as recognised in transdisciplinary practice. Drawing on a water industry longitudinal case study we suggest transdisciplinary engineering practice evolves through interaction within and between communities of place (social groups, government, business actors) and communities of practice (physical, ecological and social sciences actors) via experiential learning over diverse range of project activities. Consistent with the views of others, particular instances are influenced by the nature of the goal, the form of collaboration and the diversity of components to be integrated. Aspects of a water-energy-food nexus are observed. The utility of a 3PE architecture model in framing instances at various project phases is demonstrated. We identify enabling conditions as the maintenance of a strong innovation culture and a focus on strategic planning to support water climate change resilience.

Keywords: transdisciplinary engineering; sustainability; complex adaptive systems; socio-technical systems; integrated water management; Water 4.0.

DOI: 10.1504/IJASM.2026.150563

International Journal of Agile Systems and Management, 2026 Vol.19 No.1, pp.106 - 133

Received: 25 Oct 2023
Accepted: 11 Feb 2024
Published online: 17 Dec 2025 *

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