Governance and regionalism

The creative city movement and recognition of the creative class is not just limited to the United States. The Creative City Network of Canada (http://www.creativecity.ca) is an organization of people employed by municipalities across Canada working on arts, culture and heritage policy, planning, development and support, with the intent of connecting people in order to be more effective in promoting cultural development of their communities.

The European Union Knowledge Network (http://www.eukn.org) facilitates the exchange of demand-driven knowledge and experience on urban issues. EUKN aims to support policy makers and practitioners across Europe in developing effective urban policy and to promote the vitality of Europe’s towns and cities.

City Mayors (http://citymayors.com) is an international network of professionals working together to promote strong and prosperous cities as well as good local government. It examines how city mayors, and others governing metropolitan areas, develop innovative solutions to long-standing urban problems such as housing, transport, education and employment, but also how they meet the latest environmental, technological, social and security challenges, which affect the well-being of their citizens.

(Cyburbia Forums original post)

From Cyburbian Hawkeye66: For years now, school districts in many states have consolidated. Especially in America's rural areas. Do you think that we will ever see this for local governments, namely city governments?

I have been trying to work with our some towns that are near our town of 3,000 people. Each of the smaller towns near us is within 10 miles and has under 1,000 people. Together we could have a greater service offering for residents and more efficiency and I do not think local control would be lost to any great extent. Yet, this has been resisted by these towns in the name of local control. Even when some of them are on the edge of becoming unincorporated.

USAID's Urban Programs Team (makingcitieswork.org) work to increasing economic prosperity, democracy and security in the world's rapidly growing cities. The team works across sectors to advance the Agency's Making Cities Work strategy in city management and services, local economic development, and municipal finance.

(Cyburbia Forums original post)

From Cyburbian jaws: I've completed the draft of my essay on collectivism in urban planning and the privately-owned city. It is based on ideas that I have previously introduced. It turned out to be very long. I cut parts out of it, which I might make into a follow-up. Without any further discussion, ladies and gentlemen, strap on your safety harness and enjoy the ride. It might be rough.

Urban Notebook (governing.com/notebook.htm) is a daily column on the Governing magazine web site, features innovative ideas and interesting trends from metro areas around the United States.

Civic Strategies (civic-strategies.com) is a research and consulting firm specializing in civic leadership issues. The site offers many free resources, including an online library of information about regions, cities and leadership; and a resource section with book reviews, documents, an issues scan and web links.

The World Association of Major Metropolises (metropolis.org) is an international association of global cities working towards developing solutions to issues affecting large cities such as urban planning and development, the economy, the environment, transport, infrastructure and communications.

Ideas That Matter (ideasthatmatter.com) publishes articles on issues related to cities, urban economies and the values of diversity, community and the public good. Founded in 1997, the work of Ideas that Matter is inspired by the ideas and principles of Jane Jacobs.

Cool Cities (coolcities.com) is an initiative of Michigan Governor Jennifer Granholm, to retain young professionals in the state, and attract new ones, by reshaping cities into the hip, vibrant places that they find enticing, and promoting economic growth in knowledge and creative-based industries.

The Michigan Land Use Institute (mlui.org) is a built environment-related think tank and advocacy organization with a Web site larger than Ford Field. The Institute focuses its work on land stewardship, energy development, resource protection, agriculture, transportation, and environmental and economic policy, and offers a wide variety of services to local government and civic leaders.

The Center for Neighborhood Technology (cnt.org) works to invent and implement new tools and methods to create livable urban communities.