Managing the City Economy Challenges and Strategies in Developing Countries

In a world increasingly organised as networks of cities, this book offers the first full-length treatment of the subject of managing the city economy. It explores key challenges and strategies, particularly in developing countries, where developmental deficits are greatest and almost all urban growth up to 2050 will take place. Adopting a practitioner’s perspective, theoretically grounded and international in scope, this book is unique in its focus and endeavours to connect theory with practice. Through an interdisciplinary and strategic approach, this book explores the challenges and options in managing the contemporary city economy. It aims to illustrate the extent to which appropriate policy interventions in the city economy could offer effective solutions to some of the most difficult social and environmental challenges facing cities. The book comprises five main parts. Part I sets the scene and examines contemporary processes that affect cities and explains the challenges they pose for city managers. Part II presents a selection of conceptual frameworks commonly used in urban economic analysis. Part III examines the management of sectoral growth, covering manufacturing, exports of services, transport and logistics, and real estate. Part IV addresses urban poverty, low-carbon transition and the informal economy. Part V focuses on laying the foundation for long-term city development, exploring the roles of city development strategies, municipal finance, investment in people and appropriate infrastructure. This book is designed for graduate courses in urban economic development, urban planning, urban policy and public administration, and for professionals who are involved in the management of city economies or/and conducting research, consultancy or policy advocacy for cities. Through critical review of relevant debates and a dozen case studies this book will equip city managers with the knowledge required to strengthen the performance of their city economy while delivering authentic and sustainable development.

1. Cities in the contemporary contexts 2. The purpose of managing the city economy 3. The developmental challenge for city managers 4. The nature of the city economy 5. The rationale and scope for city-level public interventions 6. Frequently used conceptual and theoretical frameworks 7. Making manufacturing work 8. Promoting exports of services 9. Exploring the potential of cities as transport junctions and logistics centres 10. Managing urban real estate 11. Tackling urban poverty 12. Exploiting low-carbon transition 13. Dealing with the informal urban economy 14. Formulating and evaluating a city development strategy 15. Safeguarding municipal finance 16. Investing in people 17. Developing appropriate infrastructure

Le-Yin Zhang is Senior Lecturer, Development Planning Unit, University College London, UK.