Cities are often seen as helpless victims in a global flow of events and many view growing inequality in cities as inevitable. This engaging book rejects this gloomy prognosis and argues that imaginative place-based leadership can enable citizens to shape the urban future in accordance with progressive values – advancing social justice, promoting care for the environment and bolstering community empowerment. As well as explaining the importance of strengthening place-based leadership, so that local communities can resist the intrusions of place-less power, the book presents seventeen Innovatio ... More

Cities are often seen as helpless victims in a global flow of events and many view growing inequality in cities as inevitable. This engaging book rejects this gloomy prognosis and argues that imaginative place-based leadership can enable citizens to shape the urban future in accordance with progressive values – advancing social justice, promoting care for the environment and bolstering community empowerment. As well as explaining the importance of strengthening place-based leadership, so that local communities can resist the intrusions of place-less power, the book presents seventeen Innovation Stories drawn from across the world. These inspirational stories illustrate how civic leaders are making remarkable improvements in the quality of life notwithstanding the forces of globalisation. Written by an experienced author, the analysis shows how imaginative place-based leadership is making a major difference in cities large and small. The book provides practical lessons for local leaders and a significant contribution to thinking on public service innovation for anyone who wants to change urban society for the better.