Work

Innovating urban governance through ‘Challenges’

Year: 2023

Type: article

Abstract: In recent years, urban “Challenges”—competitions that solicit and reward novel solutions to urban policy problems—have become embedded within a wider program of governance innovations presented to city governments as effective means to solve complex urban problems. This paper offers an overview and critical evaluation of the uses of Challenges in contemporary urban governance innovation, based on an extensive analysis of existing Challenges and related practitioner and promotional literature. Situating Challenges within the increasingly prominent urban governance innovation trends, we suggest a fourfold categorization for understanding the diverse positionings, motivations and objectives at play in the application of Challenges. We present a critique of the prominent logics of projectification, technological solutionism and competition associated with Challenges and conclude by offering coordinates for more intensive and contextually-specific analyses of the Challenge phenomenon.

Source: Journal of Urban Affairs

DOI: 10.1080/07352166.2023.2219006

Authors: Alistair Sisson, Pauline McGuirk, Robyn Dowling, Tom Baker, Sophia Maalsen

Institutions: Macquarie University, University of Wollongong, The University of Sydney, University of Auckland

Language: English

Topic: Innovative Approaches in Technology and Social Development

Subfield: Management of Technology and Innovation

Field: Business, Management and Accounting

Domain: Social Sciences

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

Open Access status: green

Funder: Australian Research Council