This book discusses innovative responses and reforms developed in critical areas of urban governance in European countries. It examines the impact of European Union’s policies on the urban agenda and on local governance, and the impact of the transition to democracy in Central and in Southern Europe on local self-government systems. The book is divided into three parts: i) Crisis, Reform and Innovation in Local Government; ii) EU Policies, the Urban Agenda and Local Governance; and iii) Citizen Participation in Local Government. 

Providing an extensive and updated overview of key challenges in the governance of cities in Europe, the book will be of interest to students and researchers in the broader field of urban studies, and for policy-makers, especially those engaged in urban governance in European countries.  

Ján Buček is Associate Professor at the Comenius University in Bratislava. He holds a Ph.D. degree in economic geography at Comenius University. Currently he is Chair of the International Geographical Union Commission on the Geography of Governance (since 2008), Vice-President of the Slovak Geographical Society (since 2010) and a member of editorial boards of several scientific journals.