ABSTRACT
This chapter explores the changing nature of place-based leadership in our globalising world. A conceptual framework – the New Civic Leadership (NCL) – is presented to help understand the nature of local power and the possibilities for civic leadership. The framework explains how the local agency exercised by planners, if they see themselves as place-based leaders, can represent a progressive counter-movement to ‘place-less’ power. It is argued that for planning to deliver progressive results on the ground it is essential to recognise the role of place-based leadership. Three examples of inspirational place-based leadership provided by planners and urban designers are then outlined: the transformation of central Melbourne, Australia, planning for sustainability in Freiburg, Germany and equity planning in Portland, Oregon, USA. The conceptual framework helps to explain the role of planners in mediating conflicts and bringing about progressive change. The concluding section focuses on the possibilities for embedding inclusiveness as a core value in planning theory and practice.
