The management of urban development, or the development of urban management? Problems and premises of an elusive concept

Abstract

Urban management is now a central issue in urban development. This paper examines the reasons for the present international attention on this concept, and highlights its connection with recent changes in the politico-economic framework of society. Attention is given to the restructuring of the current mode of production prevailing throughout the world, associated changes in the regime of accumulation, with an emphasis on the locality and the increasing complexity and fragmentation of society. The paper also examines the problems related to the elusiveness of such a concept, and presents evidence from the Urban Management Programme (United Nations). The paper ends by inquiring about the future of urban management. It stresses the need to focus on politics, as well as to separate the current development ideas associated with urban management, from urban management per se. It is necessary to adapt urban management to changes in development paradigms ie changes which will happen if the neo-liberal paradigm is superseded.