ABSTRACT
This chapter investigates cooperation between cities in the European Arctic, focusing on its potential for supporting sustainable urban development in remote regions. We thereby consider cooperation between cities (also across national borders) and between cities and national governments (a facet of transnational cooperation) in the European Arctic. The analysis indicates that (transnational) cooperation with cities in the European Arctic has been less substantial than expected, highlighting a missed opportunity for enhancing policy coherence and addressing shared challenges. The potential for such cooperation to facilitate the exchange of best practices and perspectives for sustainable development is limited. External factors, including the COVID-19 pandemic and a geopolitical crisis, have significantly influenced the dynamics of cooperation, disrupting collaboration channels and shifting regional priorities. The findings suggest that while there are benefits of cooperation between cities, its impact is constrained by external challenges and a lack of internal supportive conditions. These conclusions provide a basis for further discussion on developing sustainable urban development strategies in the European Arctic.
