Urban facility management as an intermediary: navigating the trade-off between sustainable development and democracy

Purpose This paper explores the inherent conflicts within the sustainable development paradigm, particularly the tension between long-term environmental planning and short-term economic and social priorities in democratic governance. It argues that resolving these conflicts requires an intermediary actor with specific characteristics, capable of balancing rational planning with participatory, incremental decision-making. Urban facility management (FM) is introduced as a potential candidate for this role, offering a structured yet adaptive approach to sustainable urban governance. This paper aims to highlight the importance of recognizing and legitimizing urban FM as a key facilitator in achieving both sustainability and democratic engagement. Design/methodology/approach This study adopts a primarily theoretical and reflective approach, critically evaluate collective and personal research experiences, using diverse methods such as literature review, active engagement in international and local conferences, seminars and collaborative workshops with stakeholders. Findings Urban FM, which integrates principles of FM and urban planning, has the potential to act as a crucial intermediary within governance networks. By merging distinct yet complementary approaches − one rooted in rational calculation, which focuses on long-term planning and sustainability, and the other in culture-bound, rule-following behavior, which emphasizes ongoing maintenance, efficiency and value creation − urban FM offers a comprehensive framework for addressing the complexities of urban sustainability. Despite its significance, urban FM often does not receive the recognition and attention it deserves within the broader landscape of urban governance. This paper advocates for strategies aimed at enhancing public understanding and raising awareness of urban FM among various professional circles. By doing so, we can foster greater collaboration and stakeholder engagement, ultimately leading to more sustainable and inclusive urban environments. Originality/value This paper offers a novel interdisciplinary perspective by applying governance and democracy theories to urban FM. Few studies have explored urban FM’s role as an intermediary in multilevel governance networks. It addresses the lack of deep research into intermediaries’ roles, especially in balancing sustainable development and democratic engagement.