Paper short abstract:

Anthropogenic challenges demand a paradigm shift in governance from short-term responses to far-reaching solutions. I explore the conceptual linkage of three approaches and a transfer in multiple case studies to give theoretical and practical insights for long-term issues in urban infrastructures.

Paper long abstract:

Anthropogenic challenges such as environmental pollution or climate change demand a paradigm shift in governance from short-term responses to far-reaching solutions. Addressing these challenges necessitates societal responses marked by reflexivity, anticipation, and adaptability. Therefore, in my PhD research I am addressing the pressing need to tackle complex and enduring challenges with a focus on urban infrastructures.

Drawing on the conceptual foundations of change management, the multi-level perspective (MLP), and the long-term governance (LTG) framework, my research aims to develop a holistic and practical approach for addressing long-term challenges in urban infrastructures. First, a conceptual cornerstone is laid by exploring the interlinkages between change management, MLP, and the LTG framework through a comprehensive literature review, researching similarities and differences of these approaches and discovering their combined potential in addressing long-term urban issues. Subsequently, urban heat planning is considered as an individual urban infrastructure issue by conduction of a comparative case study of best practices. A further issue considered in a comparative case study is the long-term governance of urban forests. Insights and key success factors concerning strategies as well as challenges, regarding urban heat planning and urban forests, will be elaborated.

Thereupon, insights from the individual cases are synthesized, shaping a comprehensive roadmap for the long-term transformation of urban infrastructures – integrating principles from MLP, change management, and the LTG framework. In conclusion, my dissertation provides an interdisciplinary exploration of long-term urban governance, offering theoretical and practical insights for addressing pressing anthropogenic challenges in the urban landscape.