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Place-based leadership and urban innovation: The unsung drivers of progressive change in the modern era

Hambleton, Robin

Abstract

Place-less power, meaning the exercise of power by decision makers who are unconcerned about the impact of their decisions on communities living in particular places, has grown significantly in the last thirty years. A consequence is that societies are becoming more unequal. Even in the wealthy global cities modern capitalism is increasing inequality at a formidable rate. In a new book, Leading the Inclusive City (Policy Press), the author offers an international, comparative analysis of the efforts being made by place-based leaders to create inclusive, sustainable cities. This paper draws on the evidence presented in the book to suggest that place-based leaders can play a significant role in advancing social justice, promoting care for the environment and bolstering community empowerment. An opening section outlines a way of conceptualising the political space available to place-based leaders in any given context. It sets out a framework – The New Civic Leadership – that provides a new way of understanding the nature of modern civic leadership. The book provides seventeen examples of inspirational place-based leadership and in this paper one of these – the transformation of the central area of Melbourne, Australia – is selected to illustrate the argument. A final section discusses three emerging themes: 1) Can place-based leadership take on place-less power? 2) The need for outward-facing place-based leadership, and 3) The role of place-based leadership in bringing about radical public innovation.

Citation

Hambleton, R. (2015, April). Place-based leadership and urban innovation: The unsung drivers of progressive change in the modern era. Paper presented at Urban Affairs Association Annual Conference, Miami, Florida, USA

Presentation Conference Type Conference Paper (unpublished)
Conference Name Urban Affairs Association Annual Conference
Conference Location Miami, Florida, USA
Start Date Apr 8, 2015
End Date Apr 11, 2015
Publication Date Apr 9, 2015
Deposit Date Jul 27, 2015
Publicly Available Date Mar 29, 2024
Peer Reviewed Not Peer Reviewed
Keywords leadership, urban innovation, cities, inclusion
Public URL https://uwe-repository.worktribe.com/output/835957
Publisher URL http://2015uaa.sched.org/event/e68c9fbaee03f06600f2ac2ef9f46b65#.VbYH7LNVhBc
Additional Information Title of Conference or Conference Proceedings : Urban Affairs Association Annual Conference

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