Innovations and transformations in urban governance: An analysis of local action planning initiatives within Penrith City and the City of Sydney

We live in a time of considerable change which has placed new demands on local governments and raised a number of questions about the ability of these institutions along with other levels of government to address and resolve the problems that arise within contemporary communities. Traditional local governments are being questioned about the ability of their existing expert-driven and fragmented planning processes to resolve the problems that arise within contemporary communities. This has triggered the emergence of local government planning processes aimed at supporting more integrative and inclusive forms of planning that engage public, community and private sector players. This paper provides insight into these emerging planning processes through an investigation of the development of action planning processes within the City of Sydney and Penrith City which enable a broader range of players to participate in determining how objectives within the Council's strategic plans are realised 'on the ground'. Drawing on these case studies the paper provides insight into the problems and possibilities that local governments face in their attempts to support the development of more integrative and inclusive forms of planning within contemporary Australian cities.