Cities and Communities Beyond COVID-19

"Both thoughtful and practical, Hambleton offers a powerful agenda for local leadership in achieving a sustainable and inclusive future." Networking For A Purpose

“Robin Hambleton has set out in this short book a concise but well argued 'routemap' to take us forward to a more collective and collaborative future.” Journal of Urban Regeneration and Research

"…this book should be read by both scholars and practitioners. In the classroom, it can provide a challenging introduction for any course in urban governance and/or intergovernmental relations… Best of all, it will make students, professors and practitioners think about the COVID-19 pandemic, and what it means for local governance." Urban Studies

“[This book] presents an important brief on the excesses of central control and the need to rethink how to empower local communities throughout the world.... those working at the local level – in and out of government – would find inspiration and practical knowledge in Robin Hambleton's manifesto.” Cities & Health

“Hambleton's philosophy and concepts... are clear and will serve a wide audience well, whether practitioner, student, social scientist, or politician” Journal of Urban Affairs

“This book would be of interest to anyone affected by Covid-19 (so everyone!), and particularly those involved in or passionate about public policy, reform, local governance, the climate crisis, systemic racism and social inequality… A fascinating read.” Administration

“Robin Hambleton makes a passionate case for the importance of place-based leadership in post-pandemic reconstruction. Scholarly and practical, it is a must-read guide to putting people and planet first.” David Towell, Centre for Inclusive Futures

"There can be few better proponents of place leadership than Robin Hambleton to set out why local action, rather than top-down governance, holds the key to creating a fairer post-COVID society." Nick Golding, editor, Local Government Chronicle

"Amid alarmist and dystopic voices, Robin Hambleton offers an optimistic view toward a possible urban future. He encourages us to use this opportunity to imagine a more equitable world through inclusive, place-based governance." Ali Modarres, University of Washington Tacoma

“A cogent, fast-paced and bracing exploration of where we are in confronting the COVID-19 challenge, and how our governance institutions will need to change in the aftermath.” Richard Stren, University of Toronto

"Can COVID-19 be a window of possibility for reinventing governance and policies? Robin Hambleton helps us move constructively through the uneven challenges and manifold dilemmas that policy-makers, as well as everyday citizens, are experiencing during the pandemic." Valeria Fedeli, Politecnico di Milano

"Timely and incisive analysis highlighting the crucial role of local government in a COVID-challenged world. Essential reading for scholars of local government but equally for community leaders, public sector managers and policy and planning professionals, and citizens." Christine Cheyne, Massey University and Eastern Institute of Technology

Robin Hambleton is Emeritus Professor of City Leadership in the Faculty of Environment and Technology at the University of the West of England, Bristol and Director of Urban Answers. An expert on urban innovation, city management and local governance, he was the founding President of the European Urban Research Association (EURA) and Dean of the College of Urban Planning and Public Affairs (CUPPA) at the University of Illinois at Chicago.

Foreword ~ Marvin Rees, Mayor of Bristol

No Going Back;

The COVID-19 Pandemic;

The Central Challenge: Improving Governance;

The New Civic Leadership;

The Bristol One City Approach;

Enhancing the International Conversation;

Lesson Drawing for the Future.