What is it about?

This edited volume promises a European-based overview of 60 years of reform in local government policies and the evolution of urban governance practices. The editors organize the book by focusing on three driving forces, which explain in part these wide-ranging and dynamic changes over time: (1) the transition to democracy in the mid-1970s and early 1990s, (2) the 2008 financial and economic crisis, and (3) the implementation of European Union (EU) urban policies.

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Why is it important?

This book contributes to some extent to the much-needed critical appraisal of the driving forces behind recent institutional changes and the key challenges confronting the governance of cities in Europe. My main concern, however, is that the chapters are not articulated strongly enough to advance planning practice and local government scholarship within such a disruptive socio-economic context.

Perspectives

The continuous economic and financial instability evident in European countries in general and cities specifically, together with issues such as the permanent fiscal crisis and austerity measures, increased inequalities and uncontrolled migration flows, will almost certainly trigger further additional administrative reforms and the resetting of governance mechanisms.

Eduardo Henrique da Silva Oliveira
Christian-Albrechts-Universitat zu Kiel

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This page is a summary of: Local government and urban governance in Europe, Planning Theory & Practice, October 2017, Taylor & Francis,
DOI: 10.1080/14649357.2017.1385754.
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