ABSTRACT
This article, using the concept of governance robustness, will study the reaction to Covid-19 of a peculiar system of local governance of social assistance;the Italian Local Area Plan (LAP). The article aims to fill the research gap on how a governance system can face external pressure and turbulent events by relying on adaptability and flexibility. In particular, the case of Lombardy, the European region most affected by the first pandemic wave, will be analysed using a survey conducted on 91 LAPS. The article will show how LAPS proved to possess a relevant degree of robustness and were able to effectively resist the external shock of Covid-19 without governance disruption, guaranteeing not simply continuity but also several strategies of adaptability and innovation. [ FROM AUTHOR] Copyright of European Planning Studies is the property of Routledge and its content may not be copied or emailed to multiple sites or posted to a listserv without the copyright holder's express written permission. However, users may print, download, or email articles for individual use. This may be abridged. No warranty is given about the accuracy of the copy. Users should refer to the original published version of the material for the full . (Copyright applies to all s.)