Network Governance Arrangements and Rural-Urban Synergy

Ulla Ovaska, Hilkka Vihinen, Henk Oostindie, Joaquín Farinós, Mojca Hrabar, Emils Kilis, Jurij Kobal, Talis Tisenkopfs and Hans Vulto
Additional contact information
Ulla Ovaska: Natural Resources Institute Finland, Luke, Latokartanonkaari 9, 00790 Helsinki, Finland
Hilkka Vihinen: Natural Resources Institute Finland, Luke, Latokartanonkaari 9, 00790 Helsinki, Finland
Henk Oostindie: Department of Social Sciences, Wageningen University and Research, 6708 PB Wageningen, The Netherlands
Joaquín Farinós: Department of Geograpy and IIDL, University of Valencia, Av. Blasco Ibáñez, 13, 46010 Valencia, Spain
Mojca Hrabar: Oikos, Glavni trg 19, 1241 Kamnik, Slovenia
Emils Kilis: Baltic Studies Center, Kokneses Prospekts 26-2, LV-1014 Riga, Latvia
Jurij Kobal: Oikos, Glavni trg 19, 1241 Kamnik, Slovenia
Talis Tisenkopfs: Baltic Studies Center, Kokneses Prospekts 26-2, LV-1014 Riga, Latvia
Hans Vulto: Ede Municipality, Bergstraat 4, 6711 DD Ede, The Netherlands

Sustainability, 2021, vol. 13, issue 5, 1-16

Abstract: Increasing attention has been paid to the importance of balanced rural–urban interaction to sustainable regional development. Yet, our knowledge on the elements of network governance for such interaction is scarce. The aim of this paper is to study what kind of network governance arrangements currently exist, how they can be improved, and whether evolutionary governance paths can be identified. We analyse five existing and evolving cases of functioning rural–urban interaction in European Union (EU) member states, using a network governance framework as an analytical lens. We supplement the governance analysis with examining what kind of spatial understanding or combination of different spatial lenses the studied rural–urban governance arrangements rely on, as well as with the role of smart development in the studied cases. Our results emphasise the significance of division of power and collaborative decision-design in guaranteeing balanced and mutually beneficial interaction. Furthermore, we recommend changes in current policies in order to tap into the potential of rural–urban synergy.

Keywords: rural–urban 1; governance arrangements 2; network governance 3; rural–urban linkages (search for similar items in EconPapers)
JEL-codes: O13 Q Q0 Q2 Q3 Q5 Q56 (search for similar items in EconPapers)
Date: 2021
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