East-West, learning best?Linze Schaap

East-West, learning best?

Contents

1. Challenges

2. Identical challenges, identical answers?

3. Different contexts

4. No cross-boarder learning?

5. Core values of good urban governance

6. Conclusions

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East-West, learning best?

1. Challenges

1. Government: based on territorial jurisdiction

But: governance era and representation gap

2. Democracy: representation within a territory

But: modern citizenship

3. Local autonomy preferred

But: centralisation

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East-West, learning best?

2. Identical challenges, identical answers?

No:

Strengthening democracy

Amalgamations

Regionalisation

Improving performance

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East-West, learning best?

3. Different contexts

Europe: the realm of differences

• State traditions

• Structures

• Appreciation of local government

• Functions and importance of local government

• Historical paths

• Economic development

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East-West, learning best?

4. No cross-boarder learning? - A

Depends on what ‘learning’ is …

Single loop learning: copying methods and concepts (amalgamation, NPM, et cetera)

Double loop learning: adapting to values, norms (efficiency, responsiveness, et cetera)

Deutero learning: learn to learn, creating adaptive and innovative attitudes

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East-West, learning best?

4. No cross-boarder learning? - B

If we respect contextual differences:

Single loop learning: don’t!

Double loop learning: yes! Reflect on values, adapt measures to local / national context

Deutero learning: even better!

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East-West, learning best?

5. Values of good urban governance

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Input values Output values System values

Democracy Core value: responsivene

ss

Core value: effectiveness

Core value:resilience

Rule of Law Core value: reliability

Core value: counterbalanc

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East-West, learning best?

6. Conclusions

A. Cross-boarder learning IS possible

B. We need to respect differences in contexts

C. Best practices are always ‘best’ in a certain context

D. We do share certain values (or: should share …)

E. Learning: double loop learning is advisable

at value level,

Adapting / translating to local situation

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