The governance of urban regeneration: a critique of the ‘governing without government’ thesis

Abstract

Electronic copy available at: http://ssrn.com/abstract=1813749This paper offers a critique of the concept of governance as networks. Using the complementary concept of regime governance, it argues that networks are not the primary mode of governance in the politics of urban regeneration in the UK. Drawing on primary and secondary material, it is argued that Central Government is becoming more influential in the local policy arena. In the 'mix' of market, hierarchy and network, hierarchy is more pervasive than network. It is therefore argued that partnerships should be treated as a distinct mode of governance. These conclusions demonstrate that despite the fashion for copying urban policies from the USA, local politics in the UK remain very different. Ironically, the transfer of policies developed in the USA has tended to entrench divergent practices and outcomes. The UK does not, therefore, appear to be moving toward the US model of regime politics. It is concluded that the partnership and network/regime models of governance should be subjected to rigorous comparative studies.

Critical perspectives on network governance in urban regeneration, community involvement and integration

“…We have already referred to Davies (2002) in support for the conjecture that the state remains the dominant actor in regeneration policy and that horizontal influence is relatively limited in practice. Skelcher et al (2005) provide a helpful depiction of different types of sub-national governance networks-'clubs' are characterised by strong horizontal influences and mutuality; 'polity networks' involve the creation of new political communities (e.g.…”

“…Rhodes (1997) claims that urban regeneration in the UK is characterised by an interdependent network of state and non-state actors that is undermining the power of the state. Davies (2002) insists that the state is still dominant, even if in a highly mediated form, arguing that 'networks' can better be described as 'partnerships', with asymmetrical power relations still favouring the state. Evans (2006, p. 1494) see a widespread appeal in different political contexts for the emergence of networks between public and private actors, but conclude that in many cases these partnership arrangements are strongly steered by the state.…”

Políticas de regeneración urbana en España: la dimensión sustantiva y procedimental. Del contenido de las políticas a la gobernanza

“…Ahora bien, con independencia de los casos analizados, este resultado se pone de manifiesto en otros estudios, por ejemplo, en el trabajo de Kears y Turok (2000) o Davies (2002) para el caso de Reino Unido se evidencia una relación de superioridad entre el gobierno central y el resto de unidades de gobierno. Tal como señalan estos autores, por una parte, el gobierno central sigue teniendo más poder y lo que hace es redistribuir responsabilidades entre el resto de actores.…”

“…Ahora bien, la nueva forma de abordar los problemas de los barrios degradados o en crisis no sólo tiene que ver con el contenido de las actuaciones, sino también con la forma en que dichas iniciativas se gestionan, especialmente en relación con el establecimiento de redes de colaboración entre actores públicos y sociedad civil o, dicho de otra forma, el desarrollo de mecanismos de nueva gobernanza local. Es por ello que, el estudio de dichos mecanismos tome especial relevancia en el contexto del análisis de este tipo de políticas, tal como apuntan aportaciones como la realizada por Davies (2002) para el caso de Reino Unido, Rhodes (1997), quien incluso afirma que una de las características definitorias de las políticas de regeneración urbana es la existencia de una red de interdependencia entre los actores públicos y privados; o Paddison (1993), quien apunta la necesidad de superar el concepto de "city marketing" para llegar al de desarrollo urbano integral, pues en ellas se dan dos características: por un lado, la forma de promocionar la política y, por otro, el tipo de alianzas que se forman con los actores que la pueden garantizar.…”

Determinants of farmers' trust in government agricultural agencies in Poland

“…Some political science scholars refer to the governance as the system related to horizontally fluid networks (late modernity) instead of vertically organized rigid government (modernity), however there are also authors (ex. Davies 2002) who criticize the concept of governance as networks or "governing without government". it seems that in transition countries (especially after joining the EU), the "central the "central "central government" role is influential in the agricultural policy arena, at least more influential comparing with the regional policy, where networks are more essential.…”