Perspectives of local public-private partnerships towards urban sustainability in Greece

Abstract

This paper aims at presenting key perspectives of local public-private partnerships (PPPs) in Greece in respect with the effort of adapting urban governance towards sustainability. It is structured into three main units. Firstly, it attempts to define PPPs in general and in environmental policy, in particular. Secondly, it draws upon an analysis of local government reforms in Greece and the prevailing current factors of developing new urban governance schemes and new local responsibilities towards sustainable development. The third section is about the endorsement of PPPs in managing urban environmental infrastructure in Greece. The paper concludes that PPPs appear to be a good practice offering local governments the opportunity to overcome a number of constraints and claim a more active role in local policies towards sustainability. The paper attempts to highlight the way in which PPPs are currently employed by local authorities for urban environmental management projects.