Transparency in Local Government A Case Study of Transparency in Hamburg and Antwerp: Giving People What They Need?

Abstract

This paper examines through what means local government can realize transparency policies and to what extent real transparency is achieved. We conduct a comparative study of information policies in Hamburg and Antwerp. In these studies we compare how both cities score on building real transparency in implementing laws aimed at increasing transparency. We define six indicators of real transparency in section 2 Indicators of Real Transparency. The aim of this paper is to show that there can be limits to the transparency effect of information distribution in terms of what is necessary, useful and understandable information transmitted to the public. Ill-considered implementation of right of information and transparency policies is not sufficient. We claim that, the subjective quality of the information, in terms of accessibility but also understandability is of overriding importance.