Abstract
Integrated urban development strategies are shaping a new policy frame to cope with the complexity of urban problems. This implies multi-level policy mixes involving multiple goals, the collaboration between different actors, and policy theories based on complementarity between different policy tools (and their causal processes). As in other policies, the third aspect has been less analysed. This article studied the theory behind policy mixes developed in the European Union URBAN I Initiative framework and the effects on its employment inclusion goal. The policy theory suggests complementary effects between policy actions oriented toward economic activities and those oriented at increasing employment skills to, in turn, increase residents’ inclusion in the labour market. The quasi-experimental approach applied at the neighbourhood level in Spain showed a moderate influence on employment among the youngest age cohorts and a more evident impact on business density. Nevertheless, evidence concerning the complementarity between actions oriented at improving labour market demand and labour market supply in targeted neighbourhoods suggested in the program theory is less convincing. This exercise showed the methodological challenges in assessing the effectiveness of integral urban initiatives and offered some suggestions regarding the policy theory behind them through a European Union case.
Highlights
There is a growing consensus on the nature of urban problems as complex issues, as their causes and effects cross-cut different policy sectors or sub-systems
As with other policies with cross-cutting issues, urban policies tend to be developed by applying integral policy strategies (IPSs) to address the adverse effects of fragmented government, with sectoral policy actions to deal with complex policy problems
Before the 2007–2014 programming period, URBAN I and URBAN II Initiatives established goals and actions across different policy sectors that local projects could include in their policy mixes to promote social-spatial cohesion [28,29]
Summary
There is a growing consensus on the nature of urban problems as complex issues, as their causes and effects cross-cut different policy sectors or sub-systems. As with other policies with cross-cutting issues, urban policies tend to be developed by applying integral policy strategies (IPSs) to address the adverse effects of fragmented government, with sectoral policy actions to deal with complex policy problems. Improvements in residents’ employment inclusion could arise due to improvements in their occupational skills, but without the complementarity promoted by the economic activity increase underlying the programme’s policy theory regarding this objective. The conclusion section summarises the main results and research limitations, suggesting the importance of improving data and research strategies, and, above all, of analysing the policy theory behind the intervention logic of integral urban policies to understand its effects and improve its design
Sign-in/Register to view highlights & summary Sign-in/Register to access full text options 
Talk to us
Join us for a 30 min session where you can share your feedback and ask us any queries you have
Schedule a call
