AMS.URB1X 2016 3.7.1 Accountability leadership and democracy part2

Summary

This video explores the significance of governance in urban innovation, emphasizing the need for metropolitan innovators to understand and navigate complex multi-level and networked governance systems. The script highlights examples from cities like London and Delhi, illustrating how governance structures at various levels—local, national, and international—interact and influence decision-making. The video also discusses the evolving role of urban innovators, the importance of inclusive participation, and the challenges of power asymmetry and accountability. By engaging diverse stakeholders, innovators can design more effective, sustainable, and equitable urban solutions that foster social sustainability and democracy.

Takeaways

• 😀 Governance is a key concept that involves the interaction between three major societal sectors: private, public, and civil society.
• 😀 Metropolitan innovators must navigate complex governance systems to make better decisions and create tailored solutions.
• 😀 In liberal democracies, the three sectors (private, public, civil society) are in positive tension, ensuring checks and balances.
• 😀 Multi-level governance involves layers of authority, such as local governments, national governments, and international organizations like the EU or UN.
• 😀 The City of London exemplifies multi-level governance, where decisions are made across various layers, from local wards to global institutions.
• 😀 Housing governance is evolving, with collaborative efforts between national governments, developers, NGOs, and citizens to provide quality housing.
• 😀 Networked governance involves decision-making shared across politicians, technocrats, experts, NGOs, private companies, and the public.
• 😀 Multi-level and networked governance present challenges, particularly around accountability and the asymmetry of power among different actors.
• 😀 Advocacy is increasingly important in governance, with metropolitan innovators playing a role in ensuring marginalized groups have a voice in urban planning.
• 😀 The roles of metropolitan innovators are expanding, with new positions such as facilitators, negotiators, and process designers emerging in response to societal changes.

Q & A

What is the significance of governance in metropolitan solutions?

Governance plays a crucial role in innovative metropolitan solutions by defining the interactions between the private sector, public sector, and civil society. It ensures checks and balances among these sectors, aligning them with societal needs, and enabling better decision-making for sustainable urban development.

How is governance defined in the context of the video?

Governance is defined as the architecture of interactions between three major sectors of society: the private sector, public sector, and civil society. These sectors operate in positive tension with each other in liberal democracies, creating a balance through checks and balances.

Why is understanding governance important for metropolitan innovators?

Metropolitan innovators need to understand governance systems to navigate complex decision-making processes, which will allow them to make more informed, inclusive, and effective decisions, ultimately delivering better solutions for urban challenges.

Can you provide an example of multilevel governance?

The governance structure of the City of London serves as an example of multilevel governance. It involves various layers, such as the City of London Corporation, local government associations, the Greater London Authority, and broader regional and international institutions like the European Union and the United Nations.

How does the City of London exemplify complex governance?

The City of London is governed by a unique system involving the City of London Corporation, which manages its built environment, alongside other administrative layers like the Local Government Association and Greater London Authority. These levels of governance connect with even broader national and international governance structures, demonstrating the complexity of urban governance.

How is housing governance evolving in the Netherlands?

In the Netherlands, governance in housing is becoming more collaborative. The national government works across sectors, involving developers, builders, service providers, citizens, and NGOs in delivering high-quality housing. This approach reflects a shift away from traditional top-down decision-making towards a more integrated and inclusive model.

What are the key characteristics of multilevel governance?

Multilevel governance involves multiple decision-making arenas that are interconnected in a non-hierarchical way. It allows decisions to be made across different levels of government and sectors, requiring coordination and collaboration among a variety of actors.

What challenges arise from networked governance?

Networked governance presents challenges such as accountability, as decision-making is shared across multiple actors and levels. Additionally, there are significant asymmetries of power and access to information, which can disadvantage vulnerable groups and hinder effective decision-making.

How can metropolitan innovators address the challenges of asymmetry in decision-making?

Metropolitan innovators can address these challenges by advocating for vulnerable groups, ensuring their voices are heard in decision-making processes. By promoting participatory planning and designing inclusive processes, innovators can reduce power asymmetries and support more equitable governance.

What roles do metropolitan innovators take in governance-based design?

Metropolitan innovators take on a variety of roles, including managers, facilitators, negotiators, and advocates. These roles are essential for navigating the complexities of governance and ensuring that urban innovation processes are inclusive, democratic, and responsive to societal needs.