Innovative places in European metropolises. Producing social innovation exemplified by Lyon and Saint-Étienne

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Published
23 July 2026
Series
Other publications - scientific monographs
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Copyright (c) 2026 University of Silesia Press
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Details about this monograph

ISBN-13 (15)
978-83-226-4524-6

Innovative places in European metropolises. Producing social innovation exemplified by Lyon and Saint-Étienne

Authors

Robert Pyka
University of Silesia in Katowice
https://orcid.org/0000-0001-6690-9207
DOI: https://doi.org/10.31261/PN.4270
Keywords:
metropolises, cities, social innovations, transformation, local government, governance, urban development

Synopsis

The book focuses on analyzing the emergence of alternative models for the functioning of cities and metropolises that develop alongside the dominant neoliberal paradigm, using the examples of the Metropolis of Lyon (Métropole de Lyon) and the Metropolis of Saint-Étienne (Saint-Étienne Métropole) in France. The author explores new urban living forms rising from grassroots innovative places strongly related to the idea of urban commons. Combining perspectives from political science, urban studies, and sociology, the author provides an in-depth analysis of bottom-up innovation places that tackle contemporary urban and metropolitan challenges, such as climate change, mobility, energy, sanitary and food security, as well as issues of revitalization and social inclusion. The study of innovative places at the local level is enriched with reflections on the functioning of a metropolitan ecosystem of social innovations. The author mainly focuses on identifying the conditions under which grassroots innovations may penetrate local government institutions and influence urban public policies.

Author Biography

Robert Pyka, University of Silesia in Katowice

Dr hab. Robert Pyka, prof. UŚ is a professor at the Institute of Sociology, Faculty of Social Sciences, University of Silesia in Katowice. He is also the initiator and head of the Observatory of Urban and Metropolitan Processes. His research focuses on the condition and future of the state, as well as the evolution of its territorial structures in the context of globalization and metropolitanization. He studies metropolitan areas as complex social systems that generate creativity and innovation. He is the author of numerous articles published in Polish and international peer-reviewed journals, as well as several monographs. He serves as an expert for the European Commission and the French National Research Agency (ANR). He is a member of the board of the International Association of Francophone Sociologists (AISLF). He has been a visiting professor at universities in France, Canada, and Germany. He was awarded the title of Knight of the Order of Academic Palms (Ordre des Palmes académiques) by the Prime Minister of the French Republic, and in 2024, he was nominated for the Silesian Science Award. [17.07.26]

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