Samenvatting

In this article, we draw lessons from the set-up and contractual and relational governance of an integrated urban transformation. We investigated whether and how the approach of this grand challenge in the built environment addresses complexity and uncertainty. Our research demonstrates the importance of an integrated programmatic approach, bringing together various policy issues, actors and resources to achieve common objectives. To promote value creation, the approach should recognise the complexity of the challenge at hand. This requires joint vision development, attention to diverse actors’ interests and values and coordination of interrelated project and non-project activities. Under financial constraints, there may be an increased demand for complexity reduction and control through strict contractual governance and focus on individual projects. However, this does not serve the overarching goal. In addition to contractual governance, relational flexibility is necessary to address uncertain future circumstances and ensure successful collaboration. Public clients should pay more attention to the coherence and interface between project and non-project activities, mutual trust among partners, joint problem-solving and conflict management.