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Governing cities

Governing cities. Past,present and future Gerry Stoker . What makes for a successful governing strategy. Some core features of governing remain the same overtime ...from Greek city states to 21st century

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Governing cities

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  1. Governing cities Past,present and future Gerry Stoker

  2. What makes for a successful governing strategy • Some core features of governing remain the same overtime ...from Greek city states to 21st century • But many may also reflect ability to react to changing times, circumstances and opportunities • A future global city might need to lead with a different form of governing

  3. But there are some fixed points for governing success • Any city but especially a global city needs: • Degree of political autonomy reflected in powers, resource base, social capital • Degree of economic autonomy reflected in economic base, specialisation, adaptability, reseliency

  4. Three points of change • Over time beyond those fixed points governing practices might be expected to change and evolve • Let’s consider three pillars: • Management and administration • Political style and approach • Policy dynamic and perspectives

  5. The three pillars: Past • Management: Hierarchy and departmentalism • Politics: Representation and elite democracy • Policy: Long term planning

  6. Strengths and weaknesses • Clear lines of accountability • Strong focus on task and delivery • But... • Prone to fragmented empire building • Lack of capacity to deal with issues and citizens "in the round"

  7. Present • Holistic and and performance regulated • Engaged • Short term delivery

  8. Successes and failings • Ability to think and act strategically on key issues • Building legitimacy • But .... • Contradictions created by short-termism leads to disillusionment • Big issues raised but not resolved:overload • Limits to government by numbers

  9. Future • Streamlined: Internet driven and with hikes in productivity • Demand for social productivity: co-production • Learning organisation with strong policy cycle and feedback loops rather than rigidly long or short term in approach

  10. Challenges and pitfalls • Limits and fragmentation caused by social media • IT project failure • Political path to social productivity not clear • Learning and some institutional practices do not mix

  11. Implications for Canberra on its 100th anniversary • Structural political and economic autonomy remain key • Audit where you are • Meet new challenges with new management, diferent demands on citizens and politics and a flexible policy process • Do so with eyes open about the challenges involved

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