Online Book Talk #5 _ 5 May 2026
Book Series ‘Local and Urban Governance’
Embedded Files
Online Book Talk . 5 May 2026 . 13:30 - 14:30 UTC
Advancing Urban and Local Governance in Western and Transition Europe
Book: Marija Džunić, John Östh & Simona Muratori (Eds.) (2026). Advancing Urban and Local Governance in Western and Transition Europe. Equity, Sustainability, and Smart Practices. Cham: Springer (see here ∞ )
Book presented by: Marija Džunić, Faculty of Economics, University of Niš, Serbia
John Östh, Oslo Metropolitan University, Norway
Discussants: Jelena J. Stanković, Faculty of Economics, University of Niš, Serbia
Claudia van der Laag–Yamu, Oslo Metropolitan University, Norway
Moderator: Carlos Nunes Silva, Geographer, Lisbon, Portugal
Editor of the Book Series 'Local and Urban Governance'
Event Details:
· Date and Time: Tuesday, 5 May 2026, 13:30 - 14:30 UTC
· Location: Online (zoom link will be sent to registered participants)
Registration (fill the Google form here): https://forms.gle/Q7npKNubn7NcEQZP8
Time: time referred is UTC. Confirm what it corresponds to in your place (See, here: https://time.is/UTC )
Book Series: Local and Urban Governance (Springer): https://www.springer.com/series/16129
Contact: Carlos Nunes Silva, Lisbon, Portugal, E-mail: cnsulisboa@gmail.com
About the book
This open access book provides innovative strategies for equitable and sustainable urban governance, with a strong emphasis on the key role of local governments as central actors in shaping urban futures. It provides readers with a comprehensive look into modern city management practices, grounded in the diverse institutional, historical and socio-economic contexts of Western and Transition European countries. Addressing key issues such as smart city initiatives, sustainable mobility, economic development, and regional inequality, this book equips urban planners, policymakers, and scholars with essential insights to address contemporary urban challenges. It highlights how local governments can promote fairness and inclusivity in urban governance, especially by supporting the needs of marginalized communities. Through carefully selected case studies and theoretical frameworks, the book explores what equitable urban governance looks like in practice across a range of European settings. The book highlights best practices from leading smart cities across Europe, offering practical advice for integrating technology into urban planning. It showcases innovative mobility solutions that reduce congestion, lower emissions, and improve overall urban livability. Economic development and entrepreneurship are examined from the perspective of local governments’ ability to stimulate growth and resilience. With particular attention to regional disparities, the book highlights how tailored policies and targeted investments at the local level can foster vibrant, equitable communities. In addition, the book provides discussions on regional inequality and poverty reduction, highlighting how local authorities address socio-economic divides through policy interventions and resource allocation strategies that promote social inclusion and territorial cohesion. The problem set out to solve is multifaceted: How can cities become more equitable, sustainable, and smart in their governance practices—especially within the varied institutional realities of Western and Transition European contexts? By keeping local governments at the heart of its analytical framework, the book ensures a cohesive exploration of diverse themes while maintaining a consistent focus on urban and local governance. Through detailed analysis and real-world examples, readers will gain a deeper understanding of the critical factors that contribute to successful urban governance and sustainable development. This book is ideal for urban planners, policymakers, city administrators, academics, and students in the fields of urban studies, public administration, and sustainable development.
About the Editors
Marija Džunić, Faculty of Economics, University of Niš, Serbia. Dr. Marija Džunić is a professor of economic theory and political economy at the Faculty of Economics, University of Niš, where she specializes in researching the social determinants that shape economic outcomes. Her expertise in institutional quality, governance, and social inclusion directly informs her contributions to the field of urban governance. She has authored numerous publications, including studies on poverty, social exclusion, and housing market determinants in transition economies. As a senior researcher, professor Džunić is engaged in several EU-funded projects, focusing on smart and resilient urban development through advanced data analytics as well as on the transitions to regenerative economic practices.
John Östh, Oslo Metropolitan University, Norway. John Östh is a Full Professor of Urban Analytics in the Department of Built Environment at OsloMet – Oslo Metropolitan University, Norway and coordinating education in Transport and Urban Planning. He has written extensively on topics related to mobility, urban planning, tourism, demographics and urban economics. John has developed several scientific software of which the most downloaded (EquiPop) is used by statistical agencies and researchers worldwide.
About the discussants
Jelena J. Stanković, Faculty of Economics, University of Niš, Serbia. Jelena J. Stanković, Ph.D. is a full professor at the Faculty of Economics, University of Niš, Serbia, holding the chair of Mathematics and Statistics in Economics. Her field of scientific interest is in quantitative economic analysis, especially multi-criteria decision making, and the main focus is the research of local economic development issues, urban labour market analysis, and smart, sustainable, and resilient development of urban areas. She is an active member of the Committee for Economic Sciences of the Serbian Academy of Science and Arts (SASA). She is the founder and head of the Laboratory for Land Economics and Urban Analytics at the Faculty of Economics, University of Niš.
Claudia van der Laag–Yamu, Oslo Metropolitan University, Norway. Claudia van der Laag–Yamu, Ph.D. Ph.D. is full professor of urban analytics at Oslo Metropolitan University. She an expert on transport land use planning including people`s behaviour in cities applying a wide-range of analytical techniques including method and tool development at the forefront of virtual modeling. As a former project consultant, she excels in combining theoretical innovations with practice-oriented solutions and has been involved in numerous international projects. Van der Laag–Yamu was awarded the prestigious Michael Breheny Prize in 2015 for her work on multiscale, multifractal urban planning models. She is an editorial board member for Springer`s The Urban Book Series and has been a reviewer for national research funding agencies in Europe and the Middle East. She holds a PhD in Architecture from TU Wien connecting architecture, urban planning and computer science and a PhD in Geography and Regional Planning in complexity-based modeling from Université de Franche-Comté. She dedicates her work to the development of sustainable cities and regions.
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