AAG Annual Conference 2019, Washington, USA, 3-7 April 2019 (Session)

SESSION TITLE

"Local Governance and New Challenges in Urban Policy in a Changing World"

ORGANIZERS & CHAIRS

Eran Razin (The Hebrew University of Jerusalem, Israel) & Carlos Nunes Silva (University of Lisbon, Portugal)

 

DESCRIPTION

Local government and urban governance networks are of prime significance for the quality of life in human settlements, urban policies and patterns of spatial change. Hence, the study of aspects of local governance, such as territorial reforms, changing hierarchies and networks, local finance, intra- and inter-sectoral partnerships, local leadership, urban politics and citizen participation, is perpetual since the late 19th century. Nevertheless, the 21st century presents diverse new challenges, including reaction to climate change and environmental sustainability, adaptation to immigration and diversity, application of new “smart city” technologies in local management, and political-ideological transformation, such as the predominance of neo-liberalism and the rise of neo-populism.

The International Geographical Union Commission on Geography of Governance aims to advance knowledge of the geography of territorial governance, at the urban, local and regional levels, namely the conditions, scale and characteristics of new modes of territorial governance, and its social, cultural, political, economic and environmental consequences. It also aims to identify new perspectives and to explore new research methodologies and different geographical approaches in the field of urban, local and regional governance.

We invite abstracts that concern various aspects of local government reform and governance transformations, and their spatial, social, economic and environmental implications, particularly those concerned with the new challenges of the 21st century. The scope of our session is international, including comparative research. We welcome abstracts of those engaged in the activities of the IGU Commission on Geography of Governance, as well as from anyone with a relevant contribution in this field.

AAG Annual Conference 2019, Washington, USA, 3-7 April 2019 (Session)