ABSTRACT
The study of leadership has always been crucial to urban politics and government. However, in recent years, the discussion on leadership has become more prominent since the nature of urban political leadership has changed rapidly following local government reform. This chapter focusses on three issues. First, the new institutional types and practical styles of urban political leadership that have emerged following the shift from local government to local governance are captured. Second, an analytical framework focussing on the interrelation of the institutional settings with the actors’ behaviour is presented. Using empirical evidence currently available, the authors classify different leadership types and styles, in order to explore the factors that influence political leadership and to formulate criteria for their measurement. Third, an assessment of the institutional settings and the enactment of leadership positions by leaders in relation to the policy-making process shall be attempted. This assessment will be based on the principles of effectiveness, efficiency and legitimacy (see Chapter 2 of this book).
