Resilience Through Multi-Level Governance: Soft Geographies in the West Midlands Conurbation

Abstract

Cities and regions are increasingly confronted with complex social, economic, and environmental challenges that demand governance approaches capable of addressing issues across administrative boundaries. In the United Kingdom, the West Midlands conurbation exemplifies these dynamics. This study investigates how multi-level governance arrangements in the region reconstitute flexible “soft geographies” that enable territorial responses to urban challenges such as housing shortages, environmental degradation, unemployment, and inefficient public transport.

The research applies the multi-level governance framework of the Organisation for Economic Co-operation and Development (OECD) to examine institutional reforms, territorial cooperation, and public management innovations in the West Midlands. The analysis draws on the case of the West Midlands Combined Authority and Local Enterprise Partnerships, highlighting their role in cross boundary strategies for economic development, housing, transport, and environmental management.

The results show that multi-level governance has enabled the development of integrated strategies that cut across conventional hard boundaries. These arrangements foster adaptive capacity by coordinating decision making, pooling resources, and aligning territorial goals with the United Nations Sustainable Development Goal 11 on sustainable cities and communities. While challenges remain regarding civic participation and the integration of environmental priorities, the study demonstrates that the evolution of soft geographies has enhanced regional resilience by providing flexible governance mechanisms to address systemic stresses and long term risks.

The paper contributes to theoretical foundations of resilient and sustainable urban development by illustrating how governance reforms at metropolitan scale create enabling conditions for resilient neighborhoods. It advances the argument that resilience is not only about withstanding shocks but also about building institutional and territorial arrangements that allow cities and regions to adapt, recover, and thrive.