Work

Overcoming the limitations to co-production in shrinking cities: insights from Latvia, France, and the Netherlands

Year: 2023

Type: article

Abstract: Co-production often appears as a virtue in academic research and planning practice, particularly in shrinking cities, which struggle to develop effective policies and provide sufficient level of public services. In this paper, we argue that the urban shrinkage context imposes significant limitations to co-production practices, that we urge should not be neglected. Drawing on three contrasting projects in Riga (Latvia), Nevers (France), and Heerlen (the Netherlands), we explore existing limitations and consider possibilities to overcome them. The analyses show that the efficacy of co-production practices is impaired due to a reduced level of trust towards public authorities; selective outmigration; weakened social capital; and political prioritizing of private sector interests over civil society. To overcome these, we discuss the role of several tools, namely mediating actors, independent funding, civic empowerment, and the willingness of public authorities to regenerate power relations.

Source: European Planning Studies

DOI: 10.1080/09654313.2023.2207600

Authors: Anastasiya Matyushkina, Solène Le Borgne, Agnes Matoga

Institutions: TU Dortmund University, University of Amsterdam, University of Kaiserslautern

Language: English

Topic: Urbanization and City Planning

Subfield: Urban Studies

Field: Social Sciences

Domain: Social Sciences

SDGs: Sustainable cities and communities, Peace, justice, and strong institutions

Open Access status: hybrid

Funder: European Commission