Eco-city governance: a case study of Treasure Island and Sonoma Mountain Village

Joss, S. (2011) Eco-city governance: a case study of Treasure Island and Sonoma Mountain Village. Journal of Environmental Policy and Planning, 13(4), pp. 331-348. (doi: 10.1080/1523908X.2011.611288)

Full text not currently available from Enlighten.

Abstract

In recent years, there have been several dozen major ‘eco-city’ initiatives underway worldwide, primarily in response to global climate change and growing urbanization. Among these, two have been in the making since the early 2000s in California, USA, from where the eco-city movement originated over 20 years ago: Treasure Island, in San Francisco, and Sonoma Mountain Village, in Rohnert Park (Sonoma County). This article analyses these urban sustainability initiatives in terms of the emerging hybrid governance relations and interactions and how these inform the planning, co-ordination and implementation of the initiatives. Among the key governance aspects discussed are the partial privatization through elaborate public–private arrangements, the role of international partners in shaping the urban sustainability agenda and the project-based approach used to effect the initiatives. The findings suggest a prevailing mode of ‘governance at a distance’ and related innovation in governance mechanisms, which, in turn, impacts on how urban sustainability is conceptualized and put into practice.

Item Type:Articles
Status:Published
Refereed:Yes
Glasgow Author(s) Enlighten ID:Joss, Professor Simon
Authors: Joss, S.
College/School:College of Social Sciences > School of Social and Political Sciences > Urban Studies
Journal Name:Journal of Environmental Policy and Planning
Publisher:Taylor and Francis
ISSN:1523-908X
ISSN (Online):1522-7200
Published Online:28 October 2011

University Staff: Request a correction | Enlighten Editors: Update this record