Strategy formulation in a large city – the case of Brno 2050 strategy

The paper outlines a development and a current state of strategy formulation and implementation in the second biggest Czech city - the city of Brno. Within the Brno 2050 project attempts have been made since 2016 in order to... [ view full abstract ]

The paper outlines a development and a current state of strategy formulation and implementation in the second biggest Czech city - the city of Brno. Within the Brno 2050 project attempts have been made since 2016 in order to make strategy processes that are initiated by the city level more inclusive and participatory. The project has not been researched so far. The paper is based on exploratory qualitative research design. Combination of desk research and semi-structured interviews was used. The interviews were made with the head of the unit for strategic planning of the City Office (that is coordinating the 2050 project) and 10 guarantors of values of the strategy. In compliance with opinions of the head of the coordinating unit, the new strategy formulation process is perceived as innovative, revolutionary and ambitious by the guarantors. On the other hand, various weaknesses, negatives and barriers were identified – the guarantors were and still are mostly not clear about their role, often they perceived the project was lacking adequate organization, vision and leadership, they were also dissatisfied with interventions of the City Office that restrained their autonomy and questioned the co-creation philosophy of the project. According to some more effort should be made to involve the public and other key external as well as internal stakeholders.