Member-only story

Reassessing Performance and Direction: Regions and Cities, the Indispensable Guide to Urban Governance

Douglas Adams

·11.7k Followers· Follow

Published in EU Cohesion Policy: Reassessing Performance And Direction (Regions And Cities)

7 min read · 3 weeks before

310 View Claps

46 Respond

Save

Listen

In the 21st century, regions and cities are facing unprecedented challenges. The global economy is increasingly interconnected, and the pace of technological change is accelerating. This is creating new opportunities for growth and development, but it is also posing new challenges for urban governance.

EU Cohesion Policy: Reassessing performance and direction (Regions and Cities)

4.2 out of 5

Language	:	English
File size	:	6222 KB
Text-to-Speech	:	Enabled
Screen Reader	:	Supported
Enhanced typesetting	:	Enabled
Word Wise	:	Enabled
Print length	:	337 pages

Reassessing Performance and Direction: Regions and Cities provides a comprehensive analysis of the challenges facing regions and cities in the 21st century. This book draws on the latest research to provide a clear and concise overview of the key issues facing urban governance, including:

The global economic crisis and its impact on regions and cities
The rise of new technologies and their impact on urban governance
The challenges of climate change and sustainability
The need for new approaches to urban planning and development
The importance of citizen engagement and participation

This book is essential reading for anyone who is interested in urban governance. It provides a clear and concise overview of the key issues facing regions and cities in the 21st century, and it offers valuable insights into how these challenges can be met.

The Global Economic Crisis and Its Impact on Regions and Cities

The global economic crisis has had a significant impact on regions and cities around the world. The crisis has led to a decline in economic activity, which has resulted in job losses, business closures, and a decline in tax revenues. This has put a strain on the resources of local governments, and it has made it more difficult to provide essential services to citizens.

The global economic crisis has also exacerbated the challenges facing regions and cities in developing countries. These countries are often more vulnerable to economic shocks, and they have fewer resources to cope with the impact of the crisis. This has led to an increase in poverty and inequality, and it has made it more difficult for these countries to achieve their development goals.

The Rise of New Technologies and Their Impact on Urban Governance

The rise of new technologies is having a profound impact on urban governance. These technologies are creating new opportunities for growth and development, but they are also posing new challenges for local governments.

One of the most significant challenges facing local governments is the need to adapt to the changing nature of work. The rise of the digital economy is leading to a decline in traditional manufacturing jobs, and it is creating new jobs that require different skills and training. This is putting a strain on the resources of local governments, and it is making it more difficult to provide essential services to citizens.

New technologies are also creating new challenges for local governments in terms of planning and development. The rise of the sharing economy is leading to a decline in the demand for traditional forms of transportation, and it is creating new challenges for the management of public space. This is forcing local governments to rethink their approach to planning and development, and it is leading to the emergence of new models of urban governance.

The Challenges of Climate Change and Sustainability

Climate change is one of the most pressing challenges facing regions and cities in the 21st century. Climate change is already having a significant impact on the environment, and it is expected to become even more severe in the future. This is posing new challenges for local governments, which must develop strategies to adapt to the impacts of climate change and to reduce greenhouse gas emissions.

One of the most significant challenges facing local governments is the need to adapt to the impacts of climate change. Climate change is leading to more extreme weather events, such as floods, droughts, and heat waves. These events can cause significant damage to infrastructure, property, and lives. Local governments must develop strategies to adapt to these impacts, and they must invest in infrastructure that is resilient to climate change.

Local governments must also develop strategies to reduce greenhouse gas emissions. Greenhouse gases are the gases that trap heat in the atmosphere, and they are the primary cause of climate change. Local governments can reduce greenhouse gas emissions by investing in renewable energy, promoting energy efficiency, and reducing waste. They can also work with businesses and citizens to develop strategies to reduce emissions.

The Need for New Approaches to Urban Planning and Development

The challenges facing regions and cities in the 21st century require new approaches to urban planning and development. Traditional approaches to planning and development are no longer adequate to address the challenges of the 21st century. Local governments must adopt new approaches that are more flexible, sustainable, and inclusive.

There are a number of different ways to approach urban planning and development in the 21st century. One approach is to focus on creating compact, walkable cities. Compact cities are more sustainable and they offer a higher quality of life for residents. Another approach is to focus on creating mixed-use developments. Mixed-use developments include a variety of uses, such as residential, commercial, and office space. This type of development creates more vibrant and sustainable communities.

Local governments must also adopt new approaches to planning for transportation. Traditional approaches to transportation planning have focused on building new roads and highways. However, this approach is no longer sustainable. Local governments must focus on creating transportation systems that are more efficient, sustainable, and equitable. This means investing in public transportation, walking, and biking.

The Importance of Citizen Engagement and Participation

Citizen engagement and participation are essential for effective urban governance. Local governments cannot meet the challenges of the 21st century without the support and involvement of their citizens. There are a number of different ways to encourage citizen engagement and participation, such as:

Holding public meetings and workshops
Creating online platforms for citizen input
Establishing citizen advisory committees
Partnering with community organizations
Providing training and support for citizen leaders

By engaging and involving citizens, local governments can build stronger communities and make better decisions. Citizen engagement and participation can help local governments to: