RT Journal Article
T1 Policy integration in urban policies as multi‑level policy mixes
A1 Dorado Rubín, María José
A1 Guerrero Mayo, María José
A1 Navarro, Clemente J.
K1 Policy integration
K1 Urban policies
K1 Multi-level policy
K1 Sustainable development
K1 Actor-centered institutionalism
K1 Collective action
K1 Network analysis
K1 Comparative analysis
K1 EU cohesion policy
K1 Spain
AB This paper analyses policy integration in the field of urban policies. Specifically, the policy framework on sustainable urban development promoted by various international organisations is analysed as an exemplar combining multi-sectoriality in its substantive dimension (policy goals in different policy subsystems) and integration in its procedural dimension (integration between policy actions across policy subsystems involved). It is assumed that urban policies often take the form of multi-level policy mixes, and that integration involves a process of collective action between different policy subsystems. Based on the literature on policy integration and actor-centred institutionalism frameworks, it is postulated that in the absence of clear indications about the integrated strategy and policy integration capacities in the policy frame, the collective action dilemmas that this strategy entails in local projects will prevail, reducing the possibility of policy integration. The implementation of the urban dimension of the European Union’s cohesion policy in Spain between 1994 and 2013 is analysed a total of 82 urban projects, where the integrated strategy is a central element but understood as multi-sectorial objectives rather than a complementarity between policy subsystems. Empirical results show a high level of diversity of objectives across policy sectors and a very low level of integration; specifically, a curvilinear  pattern in the relationship between these two aspects. The results highlight the need to include policy instruments and capacities in the policy frame to address the collective action dilemmas that policy integration implies, especially if the policy frame calls for a broad multi-sectorial agenda across different policy subsystems.
PB Springer
YR 2025
FD 2025-01-06
LK https://hdl.handle.net/10433/22643
UL https://hdl.handle.net/10433/22643
LA en
NO Dorado-Rubín, M.J., Guerrero-Mayo, M.J. & Navarro-Yáñez, C.J. Policy integration in urban policies as multi-level policy mixes. Policy Sci (2025). https://doi.org/10.1007/s11077-024-09562-5
NO CSPL-Centro de Sociología y Políticas Locales- The Urban Governance Lab- Universidad Pablo de Olavide
DS RIO
RD May 9, 2026