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Territorial Governance for Sustainable Development: A Multi-Level Governance Analysis in the Italian Context

Author

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  • Sara Bianchi

    (Department of Civil, Environmental, Architectural Engineering and Mathematics—DICATAM, University of Brescia, 25123 Brescia, Italy
    University School for Advanced Studies IUSS Pavia, 27100 Pavia, Italy)

  • Anna Richiedei

    (Department of Civil, Environmental, Architectural Engineering and Mathematics—DICATAM, University of Brescia, 25123 Brescia, Italy)

Abstract

The United Nations’ 2030 Agenda is known for its holistic and global dimension, as demonstrated by the saying “no one left behind”. However, local governments still struggle to take tangible actions and to reallocate resources for implementing Sustainability Strategies. With the aim to improve multi-level governance for sustainable development with complex and cross-sectoral policies, the research investigates how much Regional Sustainable Development Strategies (RSDS) and public authorities’ structures are mutually consistent. Starting from the existing governance framework at the regional and local levels (Province and Metropolitan City), the study analyzes: the organizational structures/functions of the public institutions and the integration between their competences and the RSDS targets. The case study is the Lombardy Region in Italy. The analyses were conducted through a review of key legislations and regulations, and the introduction of a homogeneous reading grid that identifies the principal “Invariant Functional Macro Areas” (IFMA) of local authorities. The paper highlights the structural weakness in implementing and localizing EU strategic Agendas and examines the extent to which public offices are currently structured to adequately address the RSDS challenges. The research shows how sectoral fragmentation of competence can collide with the holistic layout of sustainability: new integrated approaches are needed to strengthen cross-sectoral dialogue and cooperation within and between public institutional bodies.

Suggested Citation

  • Sara Bianchi & Anna Richiedei, 2023. "Territorial Governance for Sustainable Development: A Multi-Level Governance Analysis in the Italian Context," Sustainability, MDPI, vol. 15(3), pages 1-28, January.
    • Handle: RePEc:gam:jsusta:v:15:y:2023:i:3:p:2526-:d:1052388
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    References listed on IDEAS

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    1. Breuer, Anita & Leininger, Julia & Tosun, Jale, 2019. "Integrated policymaking: Choosing an institutional design for implementing the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs)," IDOS Discussion Papers 14/2019, German Institute of Development and Sustainability (IDOS).
    2. Kjersti Granås Bardal & Mathias Brynildsen Reinar & Aase Kristine Lundberg & Maiken Bjørkan, 2021. "Factors Facilitating the Implementation of the Sustainable Development Goals in Regional and Local Planning—Experiences from Norway," Sustainability, MDPI, vol. 13(8), pages 1-19, April.
    3. Fan Yang & Zhifeng Zhao, 2022. "The Research on the Spatial Governance Tools and Mechanism of Megacity Suburbs Based on Spatial Evolution: A Case of Beijing," Sustainability, MDPI, vol. 14(19), pages 1-12, September.
    4. Miguel Soberón & Teresa Sánchez-Chaparro & Julia Urquijo & David Pereira, 2020. "Introducing an Organizational Perspective in SDG Implementation in the Public Sector in Spain: The Case of the Former Ministry of Agriculture, Fisheries, Food and Environment," Sustainability, MDPI, vol. 12(23), pages 1-20, November.
    5. Eduardo Medeiros & Arno van der Zwet, 2020. "Sustainable and Integrated Urban Planning and Governance in Metropolitan and Medium-Sized Cities," Sustainability, MDPI, vol. 12(15), pages 1-20, July.
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    1. Zhang, Shuyuan & Xie, Wenlan & Sun, Siying & Wu, Fan & Xue, Ying, 2024. "Nexus of green energy innovation, governance quality, and CO2 emissions in natural resource sector: The role of sustainable human development," Resources Policy, Elsevier, vol. 88(C).
    2. Muhammad Adil Rauf & Cameron McCordic & Bruce Frayne, 2025. "The challenges and opportunities of localizing the sustainable development goals in Canadian cities – a subsidiarity check," Environment, Development and Sustainability: A Multidisciplinary Approach to the Theory and Practice of Sustainable Development, Springer, vol. 27(8), pages 18129-18153, August.
    3. Abdillah Abdillah & Ida Widianingsih & Rd Ahmad Buchari & Heru Nurasa, 2025. "Resilience-based Governance: A Public Administration Perspective and Resilience Agenda," Public Organization Review, Springer, vol. 25(2), pages 695-715, June.
    4. Stefano Bigiotti & Mariangela Ludovica Santarsiero & Carlo Costantino & Alvaro Marucci, 2025. "Photovoltaic Technology and Rural Landscapes: A Systematic Literature Review on Challenges and Sustainable Integration," Energies, MDPI, vol. 18(8), pages 1-54, April.

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