ABSTRACT
The Transition Management model and the intermediation perspective explicitly refer to concepts of networks and network governance. Beyond the structural characteristics of the governance of energy systems, this chapter argues that socio-political, cultural and historical factors are part of the context in which sustainable energy transitions need to take place, and in which governance networks need to operate. To unravel the implications of context on networks and impact, it investigates transitions towards low-carbon urban futures in different places, with a focus on the urban scale. The city cases cover a broad geographic area and diverse national contexts within Europe. The distinct historical development trajectories of Birmingham (United Kingdom), Frankfurt-am-Main (Germany), and Budapest (Hungary) enable the showcasing and analysis of differences and similarities among local governance networks, and their contribution to facilitating and governing the decarbonisation of city systems. Finally, the chapter presents an overview of this book.
