Urban platforms as a mode of governance

Abstract

This article provides an analysis of urban platform governance by mapping out the major forms of public governance and depicting the role of platforms in this field. By fusing theoretical analyses and empirical views from three urban platforms set up by the largest cities in Finland, we assess the relevance of platforms as an emerging form of local public governance. It is plausible to view platforms as hybrids that incorporate features of both networks and markets, and, to some extent, even hierarchies. However, platforms also have some irreducible features, which makes it possible to perceive them as a fourth mode of governance. Platform logic broadens the view of network governance to a broader set of connections, the orchestration of multiple logics and ecosystem thinking. Points for practitioners: Today, city governments create and maintain urban platforms to bring together different actors and enable value-added collaboration in service provision, governance and planning. This article helps local policymakers and managers understand platform logic in involving various audiences in the creation of public value. When governing platforms, local public managers may use many of the same methods as with networks. Platform governance, however, extends the view to a broader set of connections, the orchestration of multiple logics and ecosystem thinking.