"Local government is a generic term for the lowest tiers of public administration within a particular sovereign state."
City governance refers to the methods and techniques used by local governments to manage and administer municipal services and infrastructure. Understanding city governance is critical to implementing effective urban policy.
Governance Structures: A study of the various governance structures and forms adopted by cities, including federal, state, and local models.
Planning and Development: The process of urban planning and development, including zoning, land use, and transportation policy.
Community Participation: The role of community participation in city governance, including community boards, public meetings, and citizen engagement.
Affordable Housing: Policies and programs aimed at ensuring affordable housing, including zoning requirements, subsidies, and tax incentives.
Economic Development: Policies and strategies aimed at promoting economic development and creating job opportunities in cities.
Environmental Sustainability: The adoption of policies and strategies aimed at protecting the environment and promoting sustainability in cities.
Public Health: Policies aimed at promoting public health and safety, including access to healthcare, clean air and water, and healthy food.
Public Safety: Policies aimed at ensuring public safety, including policing, emergency services, and disaster preparedness and response.
Urban Infrastructure: Policies aimed at developing and maintaining urban infrastructure, including transportation, water and waste management systems, and public utilities.
Urban Design: The design of urban spaces, including parks, streetscapes, and public spaces, with a focus on creating livable, functional, and attractive urban environments.
Social Equity: Policies aimed at promoting social equity, including efforts to address inequality and promote diversity, inclusion, and social justice.
Municipal Finance: The role of municipal finance in city governance, including budgeting, revenue generation, and financial management.
International Development: The role of cities in international development, including efforts to promote sustainable and equitable growth in developing countries.
Mayor-Council: This is the most common form of governance in American cities. The mayor is the chief executive officer of the city, and the City Council passes laws and serves as the legislative branch.
City Manager-Council: The city manager is responsible for the operations of the city, while the City Council serves as the legislative body.
Commission: In this form of governance, a group of elected commissioners oversees various aspects of city administration, such as public safety, finance, and public works.
Council-Manager-City: This form of governance combines the mayor-council and city manager-council models. The mayor serves as the ceremonial leader of the city, while a professional manager handles the day-to-day operations.
Strong Mayor-Council: In this model, the mayor has strong executive powers, including the authority to veto council decisions. The council has legislative powers.
Weak Mayor-Council: The council has greater legislative powers than the mayor, who serves as a ceremonial leader.
Hybrid: Some cities use a combination of these models, such as a strong mayor-council with a city manager who handles day-to-day operations.
Direct Democracy: This model involves direct voter participation in decision-making, such as through ballot initiatives or referendums.
Shared Governance: In this model, city officials work in partnership with community groups and residents to make decisions and address issues.
Participatory Budgeting: This model involves citizen participation in the city budgeting process, such as through public hearings and forums where residents can propose and vote on projects.
"The term local government is always used specifically in contrast to national government."
"Sub-national, first-level administrative divisions (which are generally known by names such as cantons, provinces, states, oblasts, or regions)."
"Local governments generally act only within powers specifically delegated to them by law and/or directives of a higher level of government."
"In federal states, local government generally comprises a third or fourth tier of government."
"The question of municipal autonomy is a key question of public administration and governance."
"Yes, local elections are held in many countries."
"The institutions of local government vary greatly between countries."
"Common designated names for local government entities include state, province, region, canton, department, county, prefecture, district, city, township, town, borough, parish, municipality, shire, village, ward, local service district, and local government area."
"Local government is a level of administration that is both geographically localized and has limited powers."
"In some countries, 'government' is normally reserved purely for a national administration."
"The term local government is always used specifically in contrast to national government – as well as, in many cases, the activities of sub-national, first-level administrative divisions."
"In unitary states, local government usually occupies the second or third tier of government."
"Local governments generally act only within powers specifically delegated to them by law and/or directives of a higher level of government."
"In federal states, local government generally comprises a third or fourth tier of government."
"The institutions of local government vary greatly between countries."
"Common designated names for local government entities include state, province, region, canton, department, county, prefecture, district, city, township, town, borough, parish, municipality, shire, village, ward, local service district, and local government area."
"The term local government is always used specifically in contrast to national government – as well as, in many cases, the activities of sub-national, first-level administrative divisions."
"Local government usually occupies the second or third tier of government in unitary states."
"Local governments generally act only within powers specifically delegated to them by law and/or directives of a higher level of government."