Collaborative governance and urban regimes: unexpected convergences in hard times

Abstract The purpose of this article is to establish a theoretical-methodological line that, at the same time, separates and connects the elements that constitute the so-called urban systems theory and the concept of collaborative governance. We assume that the contemporary transformations experienced by cities (fierce competition for private investments, emphasis on strategic planning, commercialization of public spaces, among others) can be better understood through the analysis of decision-making processes concerning urban policies, with a more intense presence of urban businesses in public policies. This task requires opening a debate with the academic community to overcome the "nationalization" problems of conceptual models. Therefore, we present brief considerations on urban regimes and collaborative governance, as well as theoretical implications involving democracy and the market.