Evaluating transformative energy governance in an urban context

How can cities' increase their capacity to govern transformative change towards climate-neutral energy system? In this project we will evaluate transformative policy tools and develop an interdisciplinary evaluation framework that will allow for building strategies of continuous, learning-oriented evaluation approaches. This in turn, can make the implementation of new urban transformative policy instruments more effective.

Cities’ attraction of talent escalates the regional divide. — Photographer: franswillemblok

In this project we address urban capacities for governing the energy and climate transition with a focus on the practical implementation and monitoring of a set of new governance tools which have been identified as central for transformative change: the development of tools for systematic experimentation and system demonstrators, new strategies for a shift towards a green and sustainable finance and investment, and extending the use of public procurement to drive systemic change.

Purpose and objectives of the project

The objective of this project is to develop knowledge about transformative governance tools at the urban level with built-in (or integrated) learning-oriented evaluation as an enabling factor for constantly improving and adapting these tools. We argue that governance will play a key role in shaping the energy and climate transition, and that the realisation of this transition will require not only innovative measures and policy instruments, but also evaluation frameworks that ensure learning from the actions taken and guidance for future initiatives. Based on different types of transformative governance tools, the project intends to develop interdisciplinary, cross-border knowledge regarding methods and evaluation strategies and provide practical guidance for the urban governance of transformative change. The empirical focus will be on emerging new transformative governance tools which are currently gaining increasing attention of research and policy alike - all aiming at accelerating the energy and climate transitions:

Urban experimentation and system demonstrators;
Transformative finance at the city level;
Public procurement for system innovation.

Through this project, three doctoral students will build a unique competence of great value for the ongoing urban energy transformation. The knowledge and experience they will gain in this project will not only be of great relevance in cities, regions and national public authorities, but as much in the green industry transition and organisations working for climate mitigation and a more sustainable energy system.