Document Overview
This is an academic journal article by Andrius Plepys, published by Taylor & Francis, that examines how the city governments of Berlin and London govern ICT-enabled urban sharing organisations (USOs) within their smart city agendas. The text is framed around urban sustainability challenges and the roles cities play in relation to sharing platforms.
Conceptual Framework
Drawing on urban climate governance literature, the article proposes four roles that cities may assume toward urban sharing: city as regulator, city as provider, city as enabler and city as consumer. The framework builds on earlier modes of governance by authority, provision, enabling and self-governing identified by Bulkeley and Kern and Kern and Alber.
Methodology
The study uses a deductive strategy combining literature analysis with case studies of Berlin and London. Secondary sources included academic publications, grey literature and official city webpages. The article reports 24 semi-structured interviews with 26 stakeholders, selected through chain sampling: 10 in London and 14 in Berlin. Interviews were conducted by phone, lasted 30 to 90 minutes, and were thematically transcribed. One London interview was conducted by email.
Context of the Two Cities
The article describes both cities as ICT-dense with clearly articulated smart city agendas. Berlin adopted the Smart City Berlin Strategy in 2015 and has a fragmented, district-based approach to sharing. London published the Smart London Plan in 2013, with the Greater London Authority responsible for city-wide policy.
Key Findings
- Both cities indirectly support urban sharing through smart agenda programmes aimed at ICT-enabled innovation and start-ups.
- Programmes and regulations aimed directly at urban sharing are few.
- Berlin is described as sceptical towards USOs, while London takes a more collaborative approach.
- Cities tend to regulate larger platforms such as Airbnb and Uber, while smaller non-profit USOs receive less attention.
- Larger for-profit USOs receive more support, while non-profit USOs are often left without support.
Regulation and Provision
The article reports that London enforces regulations at city level, whereas Berlin's enforcement is fragmented across districts. Transport for London suspended Uber's licence in 2017. Berlin's rule limiting short-term rentals to 50% of an apartment without a permit is enforced by a €100,000 fine. Financial support for sharing is described as limited in both cities.
Why It Matters for Urban Sharing Policy
The article states that its purpose is to inform policy-makers, and it discusses implications for cities seeking to capitalise on urban sharing within smart agendas. It recommends that cities continue regulating larger USOs case by case while introducing supportive mechanisms for smaller, bottom-up USOs.