Navigating Fragmented Governance in European Cities
The AESOP (Association of European Schools of Planning) Annual Conference, held from July 8 to 12, was a remarkable gathering of urban scholars, policymakers, and practitioners. I had the privilege of delivering a keynote presentation titled “Chaotic Blueprint: Fragmented Governance Landscape of the European City”, where I explored the intricate dynamics of urban governance and its fragmented nature across Europe. It was an honor to share the stage with esteemed colleague Professor Patrick Le Galès of Sciences Po, who brought invaluable insights into our discussions.
Tuna Taşan-Kok
Professor, Research Group Leader, University of Amsterdam
The image above is of a city based on the EU Green Deal. It was generated by DALL· 3 Ultra: image & art generator + editor.
Table Of Content
Unpacking the Fragmented Governance of European Cities
In my keynote, I delved into the complexities that define urban governance in Europe today. Unlike the straightforward, top-down models of governance seen in the past, the governance landscape in European cities has become highly fragmented. This fragmentation stems from the overlapping and often conflicting roles of various stakeholders, including public administrations, private sector actors, and urban communities. Such a fractured environment leads to short-term, often reflexive solutions that fail to address the long-term needs of our urban spaces.
Fragmented governance can be likened to a chaotic blueprint where different actors attempt to influence outcomes through isolated interventions. These interventions, however, often lack a cohesive, overarching framework, leading to inefficiencies and challenges in governance. This issue is particularly pressing in cities navigating market-driven urban development, where the social and environmental impacts are often sidelined by economic imperatives.
Addressing the core challenges
The key challenges I discussed during my keynote are central to the field of urban studies, planning, and geography. As identified through a vast literature review, some of the most pressing issues facing European cities today include:
Increasing inequalities
The gap between affluent and disadvantaged communities continues to widen.
Diminishing accessible and affordable urban space
Cities are becoming less affordable, particularly for lower-income residents, which further exacerbates social inequalities.
Growing environmental challenges
From climate change to biodiversity loss, cities are increasingly struggling to address environmental sustainability.
Market-dependency
Cities are increasingly reliant on market-driven solutions, which often prioritize short-term gains over long-term social and ecological benefits (Tasan-Kok-100724).
The Need for Comprehensive Spatial Governance
A key takeaway from my keynote was the urgent need for relational spatial governance. This approach advocates for comprehensive, long-term, well-structured, and norm-based strategies that can provide cities with the tools to address complex urban challenges holistically. Rather than relying on fragmented, small-scale interventions, relational governance encourages planners to consider the full picture with involved actors and their relations, integrating social, environmental, and economic aspects within a relational regional framework.
The European Union’s spatial policies offer both challenges and opportunities. While there is no unified EU spatial policy, domestic policies often conflict with EU-level initiatives, adding another layer of complexity to the governance landscape. The decentralization of responsibilities, combined with the scaling-up of authority from local to city-regional levels, further complicates governance efforts(Tasan-Kok-100724).
The role of Urban Planning in shaping inclusive and sustainable cities
Urban planning has a critical role to play in addressing these fragmented governance challenges. Planning professionals need to shift away from short-term, market-driven approaches and embrace long-term strategies that prioritize social inclusivity and environmental sustainability. This was a central message of my keynote: urban planning should be grounded in a comprehensive, interdisciplinary approach that allows for the co-creation of solutions with policymakers, scientists, and grassroots movements.
By integrating insights from disciplines such as sociology, political ecology, political economy, systems theory, and mobility studies, urban planners can develop robust frameworks for understanding and managing the complexities of urban governance. At the same time, planners must also engage with stakeholders across sectors—public, private, and civil—to create actionable, impactful changes.
Looking Ahead
The AESOP conference underscored the importance of collaboration and knowledge-sharing in addressing the pressing issues facing European cities. I am deeply grateful to the AESOP Association, my colleagues at Sciences Po, the Local Organization Committee, and everyone who contributed to the rich discussions throughout the event. A special thank you to Marco Cremaschi for his role in organizing such a thought-provoking conference.
As we move forward, it is essential that we continue these important conversations and translate the ideas shared during AESOP into tangible actions. The Amsterdam School of Planning will remain a key platform for furthering these discussions, fostering collaboration across disciplines and sectors to ensure that our cities are more inclusive, sustainable, and resilient.
