Pragmatism or idealism? An urban perspective onto the politics of interurban cooperation for sustainability in the EU

European cities have been committed to achieve urban sustainability, participating in interurban networks dealing with socio-ecological issues. By examining the incentives derived by the involvement in these networks and the municipal political milieu where the decision about network participation is taken, this article seeks to understand the motivations for European cities to take part in sustainability networks. To do so, a small-N qualitative analysis was undertaken. The results show that cities’ participation in socio-ecological urban networks (SEUNs) is motivated by the economic, political and formative incentives that membership provides, and is influenced by institutionalised values, political agency and previous cooperative experience.     

Mobilizing cities towards a low-carbon future: Tambourines,carrots and sticks

In the transition towards a low-carbon future in Europe, cities' actions are of major importance due to the prominence of urbanization, both in terms of population and in terms of greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions. As a result, we need city authorities to act, by using their competences as policy makers as well as energy users. However, cities are still not moving as fast as one might expect, indicating the need for additional incentives to prompt local action. Therefore, the aim of this paper is to present an overview of external incentives that might prompt cities to act and to highlight good practices that could be used in future initiatives.This paper first discusses how to evaluate the climate and energy performance of a city and how local authorities can contribute to its improvements. Moreover, it analyses the disincentives that local governments are confronted with, categorizing them as simple market failures, institutional failures and multi-agent failures. The paper then presents a survey of initiatives at national and EU levels to promote local action towards a low-carbon future; grouping them into tambourines, carrots and sticks. We focus on Austria, Germany, the Netherlands and Sweden because they are pioneering countries regarding energy policies for cities.     

从“三权”角度透析地方政府土地违法行为

近年来,在土地违法案件中,地方政府违法占地问题比较严重。本文从立法、行政、司法等方面分析地方政府土地违法现象产生的原因,同时指出其造成的后果,在此基础上试图寻找出治理地方政府土地违法现象的对策,为加强土地管理工作提供参考。     

地方政府竞争、农地非农化与经济增长

经济增长需要农地非农化.在中国,地方政府对农地非农化影响巨大,因此地方政府竞争必然会影响中国的农地非农化,从而影响中国的经济增长.本文从地方政府竞争的角度出发来解释和探究中国的农地非农化状态与经济增长绩效,进而解释其中的政策含义.     

我国基层政府执行力的困境及对策

政府执行力是决定国家大政方针政策得以贯彻落实的关键因素,是评价政府行政效能的一个重要方面。我国地方政府执行力的发展先后经历了以政治影响力为主导的阶段及重决策力的推动作用阶段,当前执行主体、客体和行政环境等方面面临新的困境和挑战,需要从机构设置、人员培训、软环境建设、完善政策执行评估等方面加以调适。     

WTO规则与地方政府管理体制的创新

入世是我国全方位开放市场的必然选择。以此为契机 ,我们应根据国际通行规则 ,进一步深化地方政府管理体制的改革 ,完善市场经济体制 ,为各类投资者提供广阔的投资空间和良好的投资环境 ,并以此作为地方政府经济发展的助推器 ,政府管理体制创新的突破口     

This land can sustain us: cooperative land use planning on the Oneida Reservation

Land use planning in indigenous communities often takes place within state-based planning initiatives, leaving indigenous governments to serve as token participants. Through these initiatives, state-based governments have the ability to wield their power and control the planning process to the detriment of indigenous governments. This study sets forth an alternative option involving cooperative land use planning practices where neither government controls the planning process. Drawing upon a case study of the Oneida Reservation in Wisconsin, USA, this study explores ways to increase cooperative land use planning relationships between indigenous and state-based governments. As one of the few empirical studies to apply critical planning theory to advocate for increased cooperative land use planning, this paper proposes a series of recommendations that can help indigenous and state-based governments avoid conflicts and work toward cooperative relationships.     

循环经济发展过程中的政府治理路径分析

认为在循环经济的发展过程中,政府治理的路径选择包括:提供良好的公共政策环境;加强宣传教育,在全社会树立循环经济理念;明确政府治理角色;建立循环经济信息公开机制;建立绿色GDP核算体系;确立多元主体参与机制;积极建设生态文明等。     

Energy-efficiency research, development and demonstration : New roles for US states

At least eight states have established energy research, development and demonstration (RD&D) programmes. In contrast to federal and utility energy RD&D, most states emphasize applied research on end-use efficiency and renewable energy. States also try to closely link research and technology deployment, in some cases deliberately blurring the line between the two. The states discussed in this paper spend about US$39 million per year for energy RD&D, or one-fifth of the US Department of Energy (DOE) budget for conservation and renewable energy RD&D. When indexed per capita or per energy dollar, the average rate of state RD&D spending on conservation and renewables is about 65–75% that of the US DOE.     

我国地方政府行政过程中“政府失败”问题探究——基于布坎南“政府失败说”理论视角

文章分析了我国地方政府行政过程中政府失败的表现及原因。认为可通过健全行政监督制度、适度引入市场力量、加大政府机构改革,加强政府法治,来减少政府失灵现象。