The Municipality of Eindhoven faces growing strategic challenges due to rapid urban development, ambitious climate goals, and increasing demand for housing and transport. Achieving these objectives simultaneously requires effective allocation of limited resources. However, siloed departments, inconsistent coordination, and the growing complexity of projects and stakeholders complicate this process.

This research explores how integrating the structured decision-making of Strategic Portfolio Management (SPM) with the collaborative practices of Joined-Up Governance, and the adaptive behaviors needed for emergent strategies to emerge, can improve resource allocation in Eindhoven. Using a case study approach, the research combines 14 semi-structured interviews and document analysis to examine current decision-making processes and identify governance barriers.

The findings reveal a fundamental mismatch between Eindhoven’s existing governance structure and the complexity of the challenges it faces. This mismatch manifests in three underlying causes: (1) a lack of measurable, shared goals; (2) fragmented, sector-driven prioritization; and (3) the absence of consistent portfolio and capacity management.

Because traditional SPM models do not fit Eindhoven’s political and organizational context, this study develops a tailored conceptual framework that combines practices from SPM, Joined-Up Governance, and enabling conditions for emergent strategies to form. This framework led to tailored recommendations of tools and practices for Eindhoven inspired by these three theories: the implementation of Objectives & Key Results (OKRs), a cross-sector Portfolio Steering Committee, implementing linking pins, a weighted-shortest-job-first (WSJF) scoring method, and a shared digital dashboard. These recommendations aim to improve strategic direction while preserving municipal flexibility and political autonomy.

This research contributes to the limited literature on adapting SPM for municipalities or, more broadly, the public sector. Additionally, it offers actionable guidance for municipalities seeking to allocate resources more strategically in complex and dynamic environments.