ABSTRACT
This chapter investigates the roles of intermediaries and boundary spanners in urban sustainability transitions, focusing on their transformative agency in the context of Trondheim, Norway. Drawing on theories from public management, governance, and sustainability transitions, it explores how these actors contribute to steering and shaping change within urban settings. Through a case study of Svartlamon, an urban experimental area in Trondheim, Norway, the research identifies ‘Sustainer’ and ‘Shielder’ as new boundary spanner profiles. These findings highlight the importance of individual agency in initiating, expanding, and protecting spaces for sustainable experimentation. The chapter argues that understanding the activities and roles of boundary spanners and intermediaries offers crucial insights into the mechanics of urban transitions, suggesting that their actions may significantly influence the outcome of urban experiments and the directionality of urban change. Better understanding this transformative agency enables researchers and practitioners to identify markers of transitions amidst the complexity and uncertainty of urban experimental endeavours.
