The work discusses the meaning and characteristics of public networks established in process of elaboration and strategic plans/projects definition, that aim integrate local administration and civil society organizations. It starts from the interpretation of two tendencies that appear to urge innovation in current local administration, in which analyzed process can be found: competitive entrepreneurialism and democratic activism. These categories of analysis are developed from the author's contribution that have given back an image on changes occurred in cities administration in Europe, USA and Latin America, specially Brazil. The recent issues of the networks are also associated to the studies done. Two cases to analyze these new tendencies are considered: Strategic Planning Experience of Barcelona (Spain), which has been developed since 1988; and Cidade Constituinte Project of Porto Alegre (Brazil), established since 1993.
networks; local development; local government; innovation