Guide: How to use the Governance Tool

 

Users score their governance structures across five dimensions, answering multiple-choice questions (0-4 scale). Each question comes with explanations to ensure accurate scoring.

 

Assessment dimensions:
  • Goals and perspectives – Are clear goals defined for transformation?
  • Instruments and strategies – What policies and strategies are in place?
  • Actors and networks – Who are the key stakeholders, and how are they involved?
  • Levels and scales – How well is governance coordinated across different levels (local, regional, national)?
  • Resources and responsibilities – Are governance roles, finances and institutional structures well-defined?

 

How to use the results?
  • Identify low-scoring areas and prioritise governance improvements
  • Use the tool's recommendations to develop a governance action plan
  • Align findings with the 5UP framework for long-term scalability

 

Key terms and concepts

It refers to the norms, institutions and processes used by cities to make and implement decisions towards climate neutrality, liveability and sustainable urban development. It covers the following governance aspects:

  • Integrative – Bringing together different perspectives and interests while breaking down silos and fostering collaboration across different sectors and departments
  • Inclusive – Ensuring that all relevant stakeholders, including marginalised groups, have a voice and representation in decision-making processes
  • Adaptive – Responding and adjusting to changing circumstances, uncertainties and feedback over time
  • Pluralist – Recognising and accepting diverse values, beliefs and ideologies within governance frameworks to foster a more tolerant and democratic society
  • Long-term – Considering the future implications and sustainability of decisions rather than focusing solely on short-term gains
  • Intensive (effective, sufficient) – Dedication of significant resources, effort and attention to governance processes to ensure their effectiveness and adequacy in achieving desired outcomes
  • Goals and perspectives – Setting strategic transformation objectives
  • Instruments and strategies – Implementing regulatory and policy tools
  • Levels and scales – Ensuring multi-level coordination
  • Actors and networks – Engaging diverse stakeholders
  • Responsibilities and resources – Allocating institutional and financial capacity

A structured method that enables city administrations to evaluate their governance performance and identify areas for improvement.