Taking Implementation Seriously in the Evaluation of Urban Growth Management Strategies: “Safeguarding the Future” of the Antwerp City-Region

Contemporary evaluations of urban growth management (UGM) strategies often take the shape quantitative measurements land values and housing prices. In this paper, we argue that it is key importance these also analyse policy formulation implementation phases strategies. It in institutions discourses are (trans)formed which UGM embedded. This will enable us to better understand conditions for policies’ success or failure. We illustrate point empirically with case demarcating areas region Flanders, Belgium. Using Policy Arrangement Approach, institutional dynamics discursive meanings instrument’s phase unravelled. More specifically, explain how Flemish strategic spatial planning vision restraining sprawl was transformed into one accommodating demarcation Antwerp Metropolitan Area, epitomised by two different phrase “safeguarding future.” conclusion, that, Antwerp, never solidified a stable arrangement, rendering largely ineffective. end formulating three recommendations contribute future attempts at managing Flanders.