Governing Cities

Urbanization and decentralization are overwhelming trends in almost every country of the world. Together they place a heavy burden on urban managers but at the same time generate tremendous opportunities for institutional change. Governing Cities provides insight into the effects of these global trends and the innovative efforts of governments, the private sector and communities to capitalize on the potential they unleash for improved governance of the cities they inhabit. The editors distil and discuss the elements contributing to the changing role of urban management: the prerequisites for and effects of decentralization - the importance of good governance and attention to cultural diversity - the role and potential of technological developments - the importance of formulating policies at city level. Governing Cities analyses practical experiences from formerly highly centralized economies of Eastern Europe as well as initiatives - both successful and less successful - in countries as diverse as India, Ethiopia, Indonesia and Brazil.