ABSTRACT
Major cities in Pacific Asia1 play multiple and often conflicting roles. Municipal authorities are responsible to local electorates and work to create a liveable environment (better services and amenities) for their residents. However, as cities are the principal bases for foreign direct investment, both national and local authorities have been increasingly engaged in the business of attracting transnational capital to the city, in the hope that these investments build up the urban economy and bring about an increased demand for the city’s workforce, and in turn create an enlarged market for local businesses.
