To contribute effectively to academic discourse on urban sustainability, disciplines
need to think outside their silos and work together more collaboratively. Although
straightforward to posit in theory, the practical realities of bringing together people
with different worldviews, languages and skills can be frustrating and lead to loss
of motivation. This paper presents the findings from a qualitative study of
interdisciplinary team working on an urban sustainability project. Through analysis
of archival materials, observations and interviews, a major theme of motivation was
uncovered and explored. We conclude with some suggestions for working more
effectively interdisciplinary, urban sustainability projects.