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Informing urban governance? Boundary‐spanning organisations and the ecosystem of urban data
Author(s) -
Acuto Michele,
Steenmans Katrien,
Iwaszuk Ewa,
OrtegaGarza Liliana
Publication year - 2019
Publication title -
area
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 0.958
H-Index - 82
eISSN - 1475-4762
pISSN - 0004-0894
DOI - 10.1111/area.12430
Subject(s) - boundary spanning , boundary (topology) , corporate governance , unpacking , sketch , government (linguistics) , information sharing , business , political science , knowledge management , computer science , mathematical analysis , linguistics , philosophy , mathematics , finance , algorithm , law
In urban policy there is an increasing emphasis on the management and sharing of information in and about cities. This paper focuses on external sharing practices which are facilitated by boundary‐spanning organisations. Boundary‐spanning organisations are hybrid structures that provide a platform to link internal networks of the city government with external actors, and in particular focus on engaging various types of stakeholders. The paper offers a preliminary assessment of a sample of boundary‐spanning organisations based across six case studies (Barcelona, Chicago, London, Medellin, Mexico City and Seoul) and across three types of BSO s: living labs, innovation districts and sector‐oriented BSO s. Unpacking the shape and development of BSO s, and “placing” them in urban governance, we begin to sketch a preliminary agenda geared to offer a better appreciation of the “information ecosystem” underneath policy‐making in cities.