Introduction: EU Urban Initiatives as Integrated Multi-level Policy Mixes—Policy Levels, Policy Dimensions and Added Values of Integrated Local Strategies from a Comparative Perspective

Abstract

AbstractThis chapter proposes to study urban initiatives implemented in the framework of the EU cohesion policy as integrated urban multi-level policy mixes. The first section details the main policy level and dimensions of these policies and analytical ideas about their relationship based on policy sector and policy integration perspectives. The second section applies this analytical framework to the so-called urban dimension of the cohesion policy, proposing some insights into its multi-scalar comparative analyses based on policy frame changes, member state’s institutional contexts and local settings. The third section specifies the central added value expected from EU integrated urban initiatives and research already done about this issue. Lastly, the fourth section briefly presents some of the major traits of EU urban initiatives applied in Spain, introducing the main research questions and empirical corpus analysed in this book.