Emeritus Professor of City Leadership Robin Hambleton's Outputs (12)

Two scenarios for the levelling up White Paper (2021)
Newspaper / Magazine

This short article examines the UK Government's so-called 'levelling up' policy. A Government White Paper is expected in early 2022 and it is suggested that an effective policy will need to level up: 1) people, 2) places, and 3) power. Two scenario... Read More about Two scenarios for the levelling up White Paper.

Levelling up - getting beyond the rhetoric (2021)
Journal Article

This article examines the UK government's so-called 'levelling up' policy and outlines two scenarios for the future of this policy. The analysis suggests that levelling up can be characterised as a slogan in search of a policy. Despite announcing t... Read More about Levelling up - getting beyond the rhetoric.

Co-creating the tolerant city: The role of inspirational civic leadership (2021)
Book Chapter

In recent decades, the international movement of peoples to cities has accelerated, and some cities now have very high numbers of foreign-born residents. This chapter offers a contribution to current debates about the leadership and management of mu... Read More about Co-creating the tolerant city: The role of inspirational civic leadership.

Place, power and leadership: Insights from mayoral governance and leadership innovation in Bristol, UK (2021)
Journal Article

This article aims to enhance understanding of the role of place in urban leadership by examining the way leadership changed significantly following the introduction of mayoral governance into a UK city. In 2012, 10 cities in England held referendums... Read More about Place, power and leadership: Insights from mayoral governance and leadership innovation in Bristol, UK.

From smart cities to wise cities (2021)
Journal Article

Global spending on so-called 'smart cities' initiatives, already soaring upwards, was given a rocket boost by the COVID-19 pandemic. This article examines this trend and poses the question: Are smart cities delivering what we want? The meaning of s... Read More about From smart cities to wise cities.

The role of place-based leadership in post COVID-19 recovery (2021)
Presentation / Conference Contribution

This keynote speech to the Congress of Local Authorities of the Council of Europe has five parts: 1) The impact of the COVID-19 pandemic; 2) The complex challenges local leaders now face; 3) Why should towns and cities be prominent in post COVID-19... Read More about The role of place-based leadership in post COVID-19 recovery.

The role of city leadership in European recovery (2021)
Presentation / Conference Contribution

This keynote speech to the Eurocities Cities Social Summit has five parts: 1) Context: The importance of the European Pillar of Social Rights; 2) The complex challenges cities face in the post COVID-19 era; 3) Why cities matter; 4) The role of city l... Read More about The role of city leadership in European recovery.

From public leadership to civic leadership: How place-based innovation can help societies recover from COVID-19 (2021)
Presentation / Conference Contribution

Societies across the world now face at least four major challenges at once: 1) The COVID-19 health emergency; 2) A sharp economic downturn arising from the pandemic; 3) The global climate and ecological emergencies; and 4) Disturbing increases in soc... Read More about From public leadership to civic leadership: How place-based innovation can help societies recover from COVID-19.

Germany shows how strengthening local power is key to recovery (2021)
Newspaper / Magazine

Freiburg, a small, innovative city in southern Germany, provides insights on how to improve civic leadership and city planning in the UK. Proposals for Dietenbach, a new eco-friendly neighbourhood designed to house 15,000 people are outlined. Three... Read More about Germany shows how strengthening local power is key to recovery.

Place, power and post Covid-19 recovery (2021)
Digital Artefact

Robin Hambleton FRSA argues that Covid-19 is opening up promising political possibilities for radical place-based innovation and experiment.

Place power and post COVID-19 recovery (2021)
Digital Artefact

This contribution to the Royal Society of Arts (RSA) Comments page considers the role of place-based leadership in post COVID-19 recovery. It suggests that, notwithstanding the growth in technologies enabling us to communicate effortlessly across sp... Read More about Place power and post COVID-19 recovery.

Place-based leadership beyond place: The rise of international city diplomacy (2021)
Book Chapter

A consequence of globalisation is that place-less leaders, meaning people who are not expected to care about the consequences of their decisions for particular places and communities, have gained extraordinary power and influence. This chapter exami... Read More about Place-based leadership beyond place: The rise of international city diplomacy.