ABSTRACT
This chapter develops a conceptual framework for describing and evaluating governance relations and power dynamics with specific reference to polycentric urban regions in Europe. It reviews the significance of place and territory in economic development and its recent uptake within the European Union policy agenda and in particular the ESDP. The chapter outlines the way in which the concept of polycentricity is used in the ESDP and the debate around the definition of polycentric urban regions (PUR). It also reviews the literature on the transition from government to governance and the key challenge of governance particularly in the context of PURs. The chapter also outlines a conceptual framework for evaluating governance capacities with references to some of the methodological challenges facing the design of appropriate indicators for measuring the capacities and the role of policy intervention in steering new forms of governance.
