Institutionalising city networking: Discursive and rational choice institutional perspectives on membership of transnational municipal networks

This article analyses participants’ reasoning for their city’s membership in transnational municipal networks and the extent to which this changes over time. Theoretically, we build on new-institutional theory and conclude that although parts of the members’ reasoning have rational components, a discursive institutional perspective improves the understanding of cities’ membership of transnational municipal networks. This perspective uncovers how important aspects of transnational municipal network participation are motivated by a different logic than that of measurable output. Cities use transnational municipal networks as sources of internal and external legitimacy, to legitimatise their position in domestic politics and their international position among other ‘global’ cities.

The perspective of public schools mathematics teachers on their knowledge and teaching practice in connection with the BNCC

Background: The curricular structure of Brazilian basic education has changed in recent years. With the promulgation of the National Common Curricular Base (BNCC) for elementary and high school education, there is a need to change the curricula of state and municipal networks, which takes place precisely with the actual implementation in schools. Objective: To understand the view of mathematics teachers on capacity and knowledge they must have for the effective application of the BNCC in the classroom considering all the requirements, especially the skills and competencies that contemplate the curricular base. Design: Applied work, with quantitative bias, as the work presents statistical analyses. Setting and participants: Twenty-four high school mathematics teachers of the state network of the municipality of Itumbiara-GO. Data collection and analysis: Questionnaire applied to mathematics teachers, with percentage and inferential analyses such as Cronbach’s Alpha and correlation test. Results: The teachers believe that they know well the specific competencies and skills required in mathematics and its technologies, but they do not know well other areas of the BNCC and feel very insecure about applying these concepts in class. Conclusions: We noticed that the teachers play a fundamental role in implementing the BNCC in schools successfully, requiring pedagogical support such as formative courses and teaching materials to help correct the knowledge gaps they have for that task.

Transnational Municipal Networks as a Mechanism for Marine Governance Toward Climate Change Adaptation and Mitigation: Between Potential and Practice

Many municipalities undertake actions individually and/or collectively, in cooperation with central administrations, regional authorities, the private sector, and other municipalities (both nationally and internationally). This paper aims to examine how they use transnational municipal networks (TMNs) as a tool for cooperation that supports marine governance in the context of climate change adaptation and mitigation. The analysis is carried out at two dimensions: spatial range (global or regional) and spatial identity (coastal or inland). Three case studies of TMNs are examined in detail: the C40 Cities Climate Leadership Group (C40); Connecting Delta Cities (CDC) and the Union of Baltic Cities (UBC). As research has shown, due to their organizational and normative limitations and a lack of maturity in ocean literacy, TMNs are not able to fully engage in all the activities related to climate change adaptation and mitigation as suggested by the UNEP. The TMNs implement both mitigation and adaptation measures, although ‘soft’ mitigation actions seem to be the most common. While the scale and innovativeness of a networks’ operation are determined by their specificity resulting from their spatial identity, the effectiveness of jointly developed strategies and actions depend heavily on the allocation of human resources and the level of commitment of the involved cities toward becoming leaders.

Developing Municipal Wireless Infrastructure

Today, the municipal wireless landscape is much different from what it was just a few years ago. The early hype and excitement has been replaced with a much more realistic outlook on what wireless networks can and cannot do for municipalities. There are fewer projects under development, but those that are being planned are now generally based on solid business cases. Project leaders are often willing to share their successes and failures, and it is understood that building municipal networks is not a simple task.

Developing Municipal Wireless Infrastructure

Today, the municipal wireless landscape is much different from what it was just a few years ago. The early hype and excitement has been replaced with a much more realistic outlook on what wireless networks can and cannot do for municipalities. There are fewer projects under development, but those that are being planned are now generally based on solid business cases. Project leaders are often willing to share their successes and failures, and it is understood that building municipal networks is not a simple task.

Building Institutional Capacity to Plan for Climate Neutrality: The Role of Local Co-Operation and Inter-Municipal Networks at the Regional Level

The institutional capacity of local authorities to integrate climate change mitigation aspects into spatial planning is of vital importance. This paper sets out to investigate this capacity in the county of Stockholm, Sweden, by surveying 26 municipalities and analysing two case study municipalities through participation in workshops and interviews. The study shows the need both for a local energy and climate policy domain that can be integrated into spatial planning as well as dedicated personnel to maintain this policy, thereby securing knowledge resources within the organisation. Additionally, the importance of relations to and repertoires for interacting with politicians is highlighted. Lastly, the study demonstrates the complementary added value of a regional-local network administered by the County Administrative Board, spreading learning examples and diffusing theoretical knowledge, as well as sub-regional, inter-municipal networks that enable the transfer of more practical knowledge and provide a platform for concrete action.

A gestão democrática nos sistemas de ensino: a experiência das Conferências Municipais de Educação e da Rede de Colaboração Tocantins no século XXI

Brazilian municipalities, particularly in Tocantins state, are amidst the planning, organization and execution of the Municipal Education Conferences this second semester of 2021. This paper aims to understand the Municipal Education Conferences as an element within the Municipal Education System and as a space to make real the principle of democratic management in education, having the Municipal Education Plan as a reference and a focus. Sourcing from bibliographical and documental, this study highlights that the process of making the conferences may serve as mechanism and space of resistance, assertive, propositive and assessive of public educational policies, favoring the autonomy of municipal networks and systems as opposed to the dismantling and depletion of public education by the federal government.

The hybrid governance of environmental transnational municipal networks: Lessons from 100 Resilient Cities

Transnational Municipal Networks (TMNs) are increasing in size, scope and number on the global arena. They reflect a tendency for city governments to coordinate environmental action through networked forms of governance. In this article, we argue that a new generation of TMNs has entered the global scene to help cities steer their efforts to handle environmental issues. In contrast to the characteristics of older TMNs as public, inclusive, and self-governed, new-generation TMNs are influenced by private actors, they are exclusive, and employ enforcement mechanisms to secure the fulfilment of network goals. To underline the diversity of TMNs and thus better understand urban networked governance, we present a case study of the 100 Resilient Cities initiative covering its conduct in 2013–2019. Looking at its actor composition and membership terms, we identify a hybrid nature different from the one described in earlier literature on European TMNs primarily. This subscription to a hybrid form of governance calls for a larger discussion on the implications of this shift in governance type and on the extent to which hybridisation implies a shift of power from the public to the private sphere.