Transforming local governments: An interconnected approach for addressing complex challenges

By Manuel Riemer, professor, Community Psychology and Sustainability Science
Director, Viessmann Centre for Engagement and Research in Sustainability (VERiS)

Local governments worldwide are facing unprecedented challenges. From climate change and housing crises to economic instability and social inequality, cities must navigate what researchers call a "polycrisis" – interconnected, cascading challenges that threaten community well-being. Yet many local governments continue using outdated management approaches that were designed for simpler times.

To better understand how local governments can transform their management practices to be more adequate for current circumstances, my co-authors and I reviewed relevant literature and shared our experiences working with Canadian municipalities in our recent paper Systemic Management Practices – Enabling Local Governments to Adapt in Response to Complexity, published by the journal World.

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