AUTHOR=Kostica Dragana 

TITLE=Does network governance really work? Evidence from cross-national comparative research on urban regeneration in Belgrade and Amsterdam

JOURNAL=European Journal of Cultural Management and Policy

VOLUME=Volume 15 - 2025

YEAR=2025

URL=https://www.frontierspartnerships.org/journals/european-journal-of-cultural-management-and-policy/articles/10.3389/ejcmp.2025.14016

DOI=10.3389/ejcmp.2025.14016

ISSN=2663-5771

ABSTRACT=This comparative case study examines the transformation of the former industrial neighborhoods Savamala (Belgrade) and NDSM Wharf (Amsterdam), located on riverfronts. Using network theoretical and empirical approaches, the research focuses on governance differences, policy implementation, and the effectiveness of governance modes. It analyzes urban policy formation, stakeholder involvement, decision-making, and network dynamics, applying policy network theory to explore social and structural contexts influencing policy outcomes. The study identifies contrasting governance modes: in Savamala, a fragmented-governed network is observed in the initial phase and hierarchy in the second phase, while NDSM Wharf demonstrates consistent network governance across both phases. Network governance proves more effective, especially in contexts supporting its structure, while hierarchy exhibits limited effectiveness, and fragmented networks, despite some successes, lack long-term stability. The findings underscore the importance of network governance in regenerating former industrial riverfronts, emphasizing inclusive and stable governance for sustainable outcomes.