Urban co-governance and inclusive cities: insights from Professor Sheila Foster and the Co-city Approach

This article is part of LGIU’s new Future Local Lab – a holistic programme of resources aimed at helping you to prepare for and respond to the emerging challenges facing local government everywhere.

Cities are experiencing increasing pressure to be more sustainable, equitable, and resilient.  LGIU’s member-only Ask the Expert session on 11 June offered a timely reflection on how power, responsibility, and decision-making can be shared across sectors to shape better urban futures.

The session featured Professor Sheila Foster, co-creator of the internationally recognised Co-City Approach and Professor at Columbia University’s Climate School. With case studies from New York to Amsterdam to São Paulo, Professor Foster outlined the core ideas behind co-governance and the principles that make it work.

LGIU members can access a recording of the session and supporting materials in their member resource pack.

We have distilled five key takeaways from the discussion:

1. Co-governance redefines who governs the city.
   Professor Sheila Foster introduced the Co-City Approach as a transformative governance model based on collaboration between public authorities, community organisations, businesses, and academia. Rather than cities being managed solely by institutions, the Co-City model distributes governance power so that residents and other stakeholders are included in shaping their urban environment.
2. “Urban commons” are critical to inclusive development.
   The approach promotes shared responsibility for the “urban commons” – public spaces, community infrastructure, and services. Co-management agreements mean that residents become co-producers of solutions, enhancing trust and generating value that neither government nor market actors could achieve alone.
3. A flexible legal and policy framework is essential.
   Successful implementation of co-governance requires enabling legislation and flexible institutional tools. Professor Foster explained how the Co-City model has evolved into practical governance pacts in cities like Bologna and Amsterdam, giving legitimacy and structure to citizen-led urban interventions.
4. Sustainability and inclusion go hand in hand.
   Inclusive city-making isn’t just a social equity issue – it’s also a sustainability imperative. When marginalised groups are involved in designing and maintaining urban systems, outcomes are more durable and equitable. Professor Foster argued that resilience cannot be engineered without democratic participation.
5. Co-governance is scalable.
   While it began in community gardens and neighbourhood initiatives, the Co-City Approach is now informing citywide policies and global urban development strategies. From Baton Rouge to Hong Kong, the model is being tailored to different political and social contexts, demonstrating its adaptability and scalability.

Join the discussion. Book your spot on one of our upcoming member-only Executive Live Panels.

• Growing the local economy – 22 July
• Tackling the housing and homelessness crisis – 25th Sept

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Explore LGIU’s new Future Local Lab – a holistic programme of resources aimed at helping you to prepare for and respond to the emerging challenges facing local government everywhere.