- Experiences in Cross-Boundary Cooperation and Multi-level Governance for Sustainable Development in Urbanizing China: a Case study of Chengdu-Mianyang-Deyang Intergovernmental Cooperation and Coordination Planning    364 kb by    Yi, Fangxin & Wang, Xinfeng & Huang, Luxin | francineyi@gmail.com    Short Outline The cooperation between Chendu-Mianyang-Deyang is an example of bottom-up planning initiated from the local governments themselves to adopt an intergovernmental cooperation strategy and advocate regional collaboration to promote sustainability. Abstract Since the 1990s, cross-boundary cooperation has become a major focus of regional planning for sustainability. Under the influence of globalization and regionalization, China has made efforts to enhance regional cooperation and coordination for sustainable development through a top-down approach since 2000s. In contrast to these nationally-led efforts, the cooperation between Chendu-Mianyang-Deyang is an example of bottom-up planning initiated from the local governments themselves. The three cities intend to adopt an intergovernmental cooperation strategy and advocate regional collaboration to promote sustainability. This paper discusses this intergovernmental cooperation planning in detail and highlights the problems encountered in the process through qualitative analysis. Cross-boundary cooperation involves particular consideration for coordinating environmental protection, energy efficiency, and industrial and infrastructure development. The planning efforts have focused on regional development issues which are out of the range of the responsibilities of each individual city but deserve the attention from the three governments on the basis of their mutual interest in sustainability. The paper discusses the model and mechanisms of multi-level governance involving different layers of municipal and governmental authorities in planning and explores a sustainable way to negotiate and balance different groups of interests and win-win solutions towards sustainability, It is argued that the existence of the cooperation planning approach goes beyond mere rhetoric, and provides an opportunity for the policy makers, governments, administrators, experts and public to meet regularly and hold dialogue on important trilateral and regional issues towards sustainability. The intense competition between different jurisdictions within China is part of the reason for rapid consumption of resources and degradation of the environment with little consideration of sustainability. This case shows how one particular region has undertaken self-initiated cooperation and coordination with sustainability as the goal, but the challenges and obstacles that this effort encountered in the process show how difficult it will be for true urban sustainability to become the norm in China. Keywords Cross-boundary cooperation, Multi-level governance, Chengdu-Deyang-Mianyang, Intergovernmental cooperation and coordination Case Study presented on the ISOCARP Congress 2010: Sustainable City - Developing World   Click to open the full paper as pdf document   Click to send an email to the author(s) of this paper