Katherine Maxwell

DPhil in Sustainable Urban Development

Thesis

Governance networks for sustainable cities: Connecting theory and practice in Europe

Research abstract

This thesis explores the effectiveness of governance networks on the design and implementation of sustainability strategies.

European cities are actively developing sustainability strategies to address the impact of climate change. One recent approach many cities have taken is the creation of ‘governance networks’: groups of public, private and third sector organisations, which collaborate to support urban sustainability efforts. Drawing on two case studies in Glasgow and Copenhagen, this thesis explores the concept of governance networks in theory and practice, revealing how stakeholder collaboration, leadership and innovation within these networks can help or hinder the process. It also highlights the many benefits of these networks, including increased participation in the decision-making process, increased levels of resources and expertise on sustainability issues, as well as stakeholder buy-in for sustainability policies.

This thesis provides recommendations for improving the efficiency of governance networks and will be of interest to academics and practitioners working in the areas of urban governance and sustainability.

Supervisor(s)

Dr David Howard

Biography

Dr Katherine Maxwell is currently Visiting Fellow at the Global Centre for Healthcare and Urbanisation (GCHU) at Kellogg College, University of Oxford and a Technical Director - Net Zero Cities at Sweco UK. Prior to this she was an Associate Director - Net Zero Cities at WSP, leading the Net Zero Cities team. With over a fourteen years experience working with municipalities on their ambitious sustainability strategies, Dr Maxwell has worked with C40 Cities Climate Leadership Group, LSE Cities, The University of Edinburgh, Cambridge ZERO and the Scottish Government.

Publications

  • Maxwell, K., et al. Towards a conceptual framework for understanding Deliberative Urban Health Adaptation Planning (DUHAP) in UK cities: A review, Journal of City Climate Policy and Economy (forthcoming).     
  • Maxwell, K., and Creasy, A., 2023, Creasy & Maxwell. Addressing green gentrification: Actions and recommendations for global cities, Journal of City Climate Policy & Economy (forthcoming).
  • Maxwell, K., 2022, Connecting theory and practice of governance networks and sustainability policies in cities, Routledge: London. | Link here.
  • Maxwell, K., 2022, Weathering the storm: How cities can adapt to a changing climate, edie.net | Link here.
  • Maxwell, K., 2022, Towns and cities need to prepare for the financial risk of climate change, Infrastructure Intelligence | Link here.
  • C40 Cities - Cities Finance Facility and Maxwell, K., 2022, Banking on a Just and Green Recovery – Lessons from nine cities | Link here.
  • Maxwell, K., 2021, Climate resilience interventions within global cities: how are cities addressing climate hazards and what’s missing? | Link here.
  • Maxwell, K., et al. 2019, Transport Policy for Compact and Connected Growth, New Climate Economy report, Global Commission for the Economy and Climate (GCEC) published report | Link here.
  • Maxwell, K., et al. 2016, ECCI - Low Carbon Innovation programme Impact Report 2015 - 2018 | Link here.

 

Research interests

Sustainable urban development, decarbonisation strategies, climate risk assessments, urban governance, climate policy design and implementation, global cities.