Diagnosing transformative change in urban water systems: Theories and frameworks

► Proposes a scope of an operational diagnostic procedure for transformative change. ► Selects and reviews five analytic frameworks from transitions and resilience literature. ► Applies selected frameworks to a reference case of transformative change in urban water. ► Assesses capacity of each framework to address the proposed operational scope. ► Proposes a research agenda for the further development of diagnostic approaches.