NeT-TOPIC Third Thematic Seminar: New Forms of Urban and Metropolitan Governance

NeT-TOPIC is made of 8 European peripheral cities in transformation, with shared problems including industrial decline, territorial fragmentation and social polarisation. Located close to major cities, they are transforming into more attractive urban areas: focusing on developing their own urban identities, offering a better quality of life, improving citizen integration and social cohesion to fulfil a new role within their metropolitan areas. One of the biggest challenges faced by these cities is using and promoting new tools and approaches relating to territorial governance and urban planning processes at local, regional and national level in order to improve urban transformation processes. The network provides these cities with a platform to reflect on changes in the city model which can increase the strategic value of its territory. The project seeks to enhance the role of peripheral cities in territorial governance and urban planning processes to achieve their desired new city model. 

In general terms, Metropolitan Governance deals with governing and managing urban issues across boundaries (geographical and administrative boundaries). New models of governance for European Metropolitan areas have to be developed, in the face of globalization of the local economy, the rising share of service-based activities (both for business and residents), the development of new information and communication technologies, increased mobility, the fragmentation of urban space, and social and spatial segregation. The third NeT-TOPIC thematic seminar's aim was to explore the theme, taking into account peripheral local authorities’ points of view.

The seminar intended to bring together expert speakers on the theme, as well as to present some practical experiences. Mr. Jordi Borja (geographer and urban planner co-director of the "City Management" postgraduate programme at the Open University of Catalonia) analysed the current challenges facing urban planning in European metropolises and the role of peripheral cities. Ms. Heloïse Nez (professor at University Paris 13 and researcher at Laboratoire Architecture Ville Urbanisme Environment) talked about the future potential and limits of citizen participation in metropolitan policies. Finally, Mr. Christian Lefevre (professor at the Institut Français d’Urbanisme, University Paris Est and researcher at LATTs centre) reflected on the metropolis, new forms of urban governance and the new challenges to be faced.

In addition to the experts' contributions, four NeT-TOPIC partner cities with significant experience on the issues explained their cases: Nanterre – Paris metropolitan area (Mr. Perreau Bezouille, 1st Deputy Mayor); Salford – Manchester metropolitan area (Councillor Antrobus, Lead Member for Planning); Sacele – Brasov metropolitan area (Mr. Nistor, Mayor); and L'Hospitalet de Llobregat – Barcelona metropolitan area (Ms. Ana María Prados, Councillor of Urban Planning and Public Works and 4th Deputy Mayor). The exchanges, discussions and knowledge gained within this seminar were related to different fields of metropolitan governance:

• Urban planning across public government boundaries, the public-public relation within metropolitan areas.
• Cross-boundary economic development and labour markets.
• Citizen participation and civil society across boundaries. The challenges facing a metropolitan community.

A thematic publication on the speeches and conclusions from the Third Seminar will be available shortly. In the meantime, you can read  the Download POSITION PAPER - 3rd Seminar (320.35 KB) drafted by NeT-TOPIC partners, where they express their experiences and concerns in relation to the subject matter. This document aimed to offer a framework in order to ensure a clear focus for the seminar.

Read more:

• NeT-TOPIC - URBACT Website
• Download POSITION PAPER - 3rd Seminar (320.35 KB) - PDF
• Download NeT-TOPIC_-_Newsletter_4_FINAL.pdf (455.47 KB) - PDF
• Metropolitan Governance Post by Fernando Barreiro - URBACT Blog
• Metropolitan Governance - URBACT website