Crossing Borders Sustainably

Using Metagovernance to Activate Stakeholders to Facilitate Sustainable Mobility Transitions in a Cross-Border Context

Master thesis (2024)

Authors

T.J. van Daalhuizen Architecture and the Built Environment

Contributors

P.W.C. Chan (mentor)
K.B.J. Van den Berghe Urban Development Management - Architecture and the Built Environment (mentor)
Faculty
Architecture and the Built Environment, Architecture and the Built Environment
Copyright: © 2024 Thomas van Daalhuizen
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Published Date

11-01-2024

Language

English

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Faculty

Architecture and the Built Environment

Abstract

There is a need to broaden discussions on sustainable mobility beyond the prevalent focus on electric cars, particularly considering the challenges faced by border regions and marginalized groups that rely on public and soft transport. This study aims to fill this gap by examining the intricate dynamics of cross-border mobility transitions in Belgium and the Netherlands, with a specific focus on activating stakeholders and facilitating sustainable mobility transitions through the application of meta-governance.

Utilising a multifaceted research methodology, including an extensive literature review, in-depth case studies of HSL-Zuid and IJzeren Rijn, stakeholder interviews, this research navigates the complex landscape of meta-governance in cross-border regions.

The study reveals three pivotal tensions that disrupt current decision-making processes for cross-border connections: (1) National and Regional Imbalance in Decision-Making, (2) Formal and Informal Routes to Decision-Making and Flexibility, (3) Conflicting Interests. These tensions intricately impact governance styles, creating challenges and inefficiencies.

To address the identified issues, the research proposes actionable recommendations. Emphasising the need to harmonise national-regional governance frameworks, work on nuanced approaches to formal and informal routes, considerate divergent national interests, and heightened awareness of governance style interplay. Moreover, the research also highlights that metagovernance is already ingrained in current practices. The key lies in raising awareness of its presence among stakeholders, enabling a more informed and seamless navigation of the cross-border governance landscape. Metagovernance’s true value lies in its ability to articulate and navigate through different governance styles, adapting to various challenges and opportunities. While it may not always represent a novel approach, it serves as a critical analytical tool for understanding the dynamics of governance in complex infrastructure projects.