Understanding the dialectical relationship between governance and governance outcomes in the context of urban (re)development: A critical review

Abstract

This study examines a crucial yet underexplored topic: the dialectical relationship between governance and its outcomes in urban (re)development. As contemporary urban governance networks become increasingly dynamic, understanding this relationship is essential for advancing theoretical models beyond static, linear frameworks and informing adaptive, context-sensitive governance strategies. We integrate Assemblage Thinking with dialectical perspectives to develop a conceptual model that reconciles the long-standing debate over whether networks should be understood as “structure” (stable power/resource relations) or “process” (contingent interactions). By operationalizing key Assemblage principles, we embed governance–outcome dialectics within the “structure–process” continuum, extending the application of Assemblage Thinking in urban studies beyond descriptive uses. The Assemblage–dialectical model posits that methodological choices, including variable selection, temporal dimensions, and reasoning modes, significantly influence governance–outcome interpretations. A systematic review of empirical studies on urban (re)development practices, which echo the dialectical diagnosis of the governance–outcome relationship, largely validates this model. It demonstrates that studies using isolated variables, cross-sectional analysis, and causal reasoning tend to reinforce structure- or process-oriented interpretations. While these studies do not explicitly reject the structure–process entanglement, they often prioritize structure or process as the primary determinant of governance outcomes. However, contrary to initial expectations, studies combining causal and relational reasoning, rather than relying solely on relational reasoning, along with holistic and longitudinal perspectives, are more consistently aligned with an Assemblage-based interpretation. These insights provide scholars and practitioners with a more comprehensive understanding of governance configurations and their evolving interactions with outcomes, ultimately enhancing the capacity to design effective and adaptive urban governance strategies.

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