ABSTRACT
How can we conceptualise and reconstruct existing networks of governance relevant to urban low-carbon transitions in the energy sector? In order to address this issue, this chapter presents a comparative methodology based on organisational network analysis that describes local governance networks in terms of their structural features, the types of actors involved, and their potential to influence decision-making processes based on their position within the network relative to other actors. The analysis is based on empirical data collected from cities from different countries in Europe (Birmingham, Frankfurt and Budapest) on existing multi-actor (participative and/or collaborative) decision-making arenas and the organisations involved in these. The structural analysis of the local low-carbon energy transition networks highlights that whist network-type interactions among multiple actors exist in all three cities these governance networks differ significantly in terms of structural features relating to the degree of integration and power relationships among actors. These structural differences, most likely caused by local contextual characteristics, may have important but potentially overlooked implications for new interventions based on the network model of governance which aim to support local low-carbon transitions.
