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Paper short abstract:

In a recent book, 'Leading the Inclusive City', the author examines examples of inspirational civic leadership in 17 cities in 14 different countries. This paper presents a conceptual framework for understanding inclusive place-based governance and provides examples to illustrate the power of place

Paper long abstract:

This paper discusses the challenge of place-less power in modern societies, and considers the nature of the major struggle that is now taking place between place-less and place-based power. By drawing on arguments that are set out at greater length in the author's recent book, 'Leading the Inclusive City', the paper outlines concepts that maybe able to help us better understand the power of place and, more specifically, the emerging possibilities for progressive place-based leadership in particular geo-political settings. The paper is divided into four parts. An opening section discusses the constraints on place-based power and the potential for expanding local power. A second offers a way of understanding inclusive place-based leadership. Described as 'The New Civic Leadership', the model posits the existence of five overlapping realms of leadership in any given locality. The possibilities for progressive advance lie in the areas of overlap - areas described as 'Innovation Zones' - between the different realms. The third section presents cameos of inspirational civic leadership drawn from the global south as well as the global north to illuminate the argument. A final section identifies emerging themes for future work in development studies. In particular the paper will make a plea for scholars to give far more attention to the role of place-based leadership in bringing about progressive change.

Reference

Hambleton R. (2015) 'Leading the Inclusive City. Place-based innovation for a bounded planet'. Bristol: Policy Press