This thesis explores power dynamics in public institutions and their impact on the implementation of SDG 11 in Barcelona. Through a critical realism approach, a case study and qualitative...Show moreThis thesis explores power dynamics in public institutions and their impact on the implementation of SDG 11 in Barcelona. Through a critical realism approach, a case study and qualitative methodology are used to understand the historical and contemporary influence of institutional power. The data collected, through semi-structured interviews and documentary analysis, highlights how critical junctures over the last three decades have created institutional inertias that affect the implementation of SDG 11 in the city. Resistance to change, prioritisation of economic efficiency over sustainability and the need for inter-institutional collaboration are identified as key factors. The lessons learned from the Barcelona experience could inform implementation strategies for sustainable urban development policies in similar contexts. Despite its limitations, this study contributes to the theoretical and practical understanding of SDG implementation in urban settings and suggests directions for future research.Show less
