Networks in Sustainable Urban Development: An Empirical Study

How important are local networks for sustainable urban development, what are the causes for the significance of certain network actors, and how significant is networking for these actors? Finding answers to these questions, we conducted a quantitative and qualitative network analysis in Hanover, collecting data about the characteristics and relationships of as many SUD actors as possible. There are three major findings to be reported. First, actors are strongly connected if they are bureaucratically institutionalized, and they are less connected if they work in temporary civil society projects. Second, institutions and projects that deal with urban climate issues are particularly well connected, followed by actors dealing with civic engagement, nutrition and consumption, and the fostering of commons. Third, the type of relationship relates to an actor’s network power; municipal environmental protection and sustainable urban development institutions stand out here as powerful “brokers,” whereas artistic-cultural projects and initiatives have almost no power and need the help of others to make their voice be heard and their demands implemented. The chapter ends with recommendations for more optimal networking, i.e., how to connect partial networks and integrate peripheral sustainable urban development actors.