Design Principles
The design principles at the heart of the Co‑City Framework offer a foundation for creating co‑governance structures where all sectors can partner as equals. Rather than prescribing a fixed model, these principles help cities move from isolated projects toward more systematic, collaborative approaches to shared urban stewardship.
Grounded in LabGov’s investigation of 500+ cities and 200+ cases documented in the Co‑Cities book — and refined through practical applications in U.S. cities and international experiments — five foundational principles define a Co‑City: Collective Governance, Enabling State, Pooling Economies, Experimentalism, and Tech Justice.
Together, these principles provide a flexible roadmap for building collaborative, resilient, and community‑driven environments where governance is shared, community goods are created, and equity is woven into everyday practice.
The 5 Principles
Collective governance describes how shared urban resources — such as parks, community centers, or digital infrastructure — are managed not by a single authority but through collaborative structures. The goal is to ensure that governance is inclusive, responsive, and rooted in community needs.
A Co‑City brings together five groups whose participation is essential for shared stewardship:
- Active Citizens and Local Communities: Residents, grassroots organizers, social innovators, and city makers who initiate or participate in place‑based projects.
- Public Authorities: Local government agencies, city departments, and municipal leaders who provide regulatory support, funding, and enabling infrastructure.
- Private Sector Actors: Businesses of all sizes, including local enterprises and social businesses, that contribute resources, expertise, or investment.
- Civil Society Organizations and NGOs: Nonprofits, advocacy groups, and community organizations that represent public interests and help coordinate efforts.
- Knowledge Institutions: Universities, research centers, and think tanks that offer data, evaluation, and strategic guidance.
When these five groups share responsibility for decision‑making and resource management, collective governance becomes visible and measurable. Rather than prescribing a fixed model, this principle encourages cities to create platforms, policies, and partnerships that enable collaboration across sectors and support long‑term stewardship of community resources.
Enabling State describes the role of public authorities in co‑governance. It identifies how the state can act as a supportive platform that facilitates collective action, provides enabling policies, and helps sustain shared stewardship of urban resources. When public institutions enable rather than control, they become key partners in the success of community‑led initiatives and collaborative governance systems.
Pooling Economies describe the collaborative, cooperative, and circular models through which communities and institutions create shared value. These initiatives operate alongside mainstream markets and rely on collective ownership, resource pooling, and locally managed systems to generate new opportunities, services, and benefits for residents. By supporting structures where value is created and distributed collaboratively, pooling economies strengthen the social and economic foundations of a Co‑City.
Experimentalism emphasizes applied, locally grounded experimentation. It encourages cities and communities to test multiple governance approaches, engage directly with participants, and observe how decisions unfold in practice. By treating the city as a dynamic system and learning from iterative trials, experimentalism helps refine collaborative governance models and adapt them to local conditions.
Tech Justice highlights how equitable access to digital infrastructure and technology can support collaboration, local development, and social cohesion. An open and inclusive digital ecosystem enables communities to participate fully in co‑governance, fosters innovation, and attracts diverse users and stakeholders. By ensuring that digital tools, data, and connectivity are accessible to all, Tech Justice strengthens the capacity of residents and institutions to share information, coordinate action, and build community‑driven solutions.
