This book offers a European perspective on spatial planning and welfare policies in relation to the new conditions derived from the current urban crisis. The book deals with research and policy issues stemming from the fact that in the last ten years European cities have been affected by a structural crisis, not only financial but also a social, environmental and spatial, leading to an economic collapse. The crisis and its consequences due to political, financial and social conflicts contribute to increasing a city's complexity in terms of decrease of public finance, slowdowns in the real estate market, economic stagnation and the reduction of the consolidated welfare policies. In light of this, this book proposes to reframe European urban welfare towards a "framework-rule" perspective. It is based on new rules and responsibilities as a path to change that would enable cities to respond to new circumstances through innovative actions thanks to co-production. The book focuses on the potential of this approach, identifying innovative perspectives for researchers, institutions and practitioners in the field of urban and regional planning. It also addresses the growth of civic initiatives all over Europe in which citizens and private business are engaged for the self-delivery of urban facilities, while jointly identifying issues and needs, and trying to solve problems with innovative and inclusive responses. This book will appeal to students and researchers along with a professional and policy audience due to the topical nature of the contents.

This book brings together a series of theory and practice essays on risk management and adaptation in urban contexts within a resilient and multidimensional perspective. The book proposes a transversal approach with regard to the role of spatial planning in promoting and fostering risk management as well as institutions' challenges for governing risk, particularly in relation to new forms of multi-level governance that may include stakeholders and citizen engagement. The different contributions focus on approaches, policies, and practices able to contrast risks in urban systems generating social inclusion, equity and participation through bottom-up governance forms and co-evolution principles. Case studies focus on lessons learned, as well as the potential and means for their replication and upscaling, also through capacity building and knowledge transfer. Among many other topics, the book explores difficulties encountered in, and creative solutions found, community and local experiences and capacities, organizational processes and integrative institutional, technical approaches to risk issue in cities.