Urban Governance: A theoretical review and an empirical study

Abstract

The definitions and application of urban governance are discussed in this paper. It first reviews the economic, political and social background of urban governance, the theoretical roots and their explanations. The second part of the paper examines the application of urban governance in a transitional economy. Increasing attention is being paid to the process of decentralization and delegation of decision-making power to the lower echelons of the government bureaucracy. With the emergence of new stakeholders, there is a need to appreciate the rise of the civil society consequential upon of the evolving urban dynamics. The third part of this paper is a case study of the Guangdong Luoxi Bridge with particular reference to the controversy over the levying of toll charge, and the role and dynamics of the stakeholders involved in it. The paper concludes with further directions for future research with a view to improving urban governance and municipal management in Chinese cities.