City Mayors: Mayors running the world's cities

Cities are shaping today's social, cultural, technological and economic agendas. They compete, learn from each other and act together

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City Mayors ranks the world’s largest, best as well as richest cities and urban areas. It also ranks the cities in individual countries, and provides a list of the capital cities of some 200 sovereign countries. More

City Mayors profiles city leaders from around the world. More

City Mayors describes the history, architecture and politics of the greatest city halls in the world. More

Mayors from The Americas, Europe. Asia, Australia and Africa compete for the World Mayor Award. More

Use Mayor Monitor to rate the performance of mayors from across the world More

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City Mayors reports political events, analyses the issues and depicts the main players. More

City Mayors describes and explains the structures and workings of local government in Europe, The Americas, Asia, Australia and Africa. More

City Mayors deals with economic and investment issues affecting towns and cities. More

City Mayors describes and explains financial issues affecting local government. More

City Mayors reports urban environmental developments and examines the challenges faced by cities worldwide. More

City Mayors reports on and discusses urban development issues in developed and developing countries. More

City Mayors reports on developments in urban society and behaviour and reviews relevant research. More

City Mayors invites readers to write about the people in their cities. More

City Mayors examines city brands and marketing. More

City Mayors lists and features urban events, conferences and conventions aimed at urban decision makers and those with an interest in cities worldwide. More

City Mayors deals with urban transport issues in developed and developing countries and features the world’s greatest metro systems. More

City Mayors examines education issues and policies affecting children and adults in urban areas. More

City Mayors investigates health issues affecting urban areas with an emphasis on health in cities in developing countries. More

City Mayors reports on how business developments impact on cities and examines cooperation between cities and the private sector. More

City Mayors examines the contributions history and culture make to urban society and environment. More

City Mayors examines the importance of urban tourism to city economies. More

City Mayors questions those who govern the world’s cities and talks to men and women who contribute to urban society and environment. More

City Mayors profiles national and international organisations representing cities as well as those dealing with urban issues. More

City Mayors reports on major national and international sporting events and their impact on cities. More

City Mayors lists cities and city organisations, profiles individual mayors and provides information on hundreds of urban events. More

Haitian mayor accused of
selling earthquake relief aid
News (Haiti): The mayor of Petionville, a suburb of Port-au-Prince, has been accused of hoarding relief aid and selling it on the black market. Hundreds of women marched to the city hall to condemn the alleged corruption. A radio station has accused the mayor of making a business out of tents, which should have been distributed to earthquake survivors. Reports of a large amount of donated food being sold on the black market have provoked anger. More

New Orleans elects first
white mayor since 1978
News (USA): Mitch Landrieu has been elected as the new mayor of New Orleans. Landrieu beat 10 other candidates to the post, with 66.5 per cent of the primary vote, avoiding the need for a run off. His nearest rival scored 12.8 per cent of the vote, in an election fought on reconstruction and recovery. Landrieu, Louisiana’s lieutenant governor and a mayoral candidate in 1994 and 2006, becomes the city’s first white mayor since 1978. More

The Sustainable City 2010
Environment: This conference aims to address the many inter-related aspects of the urban environment from transport and mobility to social exclusion and crime prevention. The meeting will build on previous conferences,' More

Integration Through Education
Education: Join Cities of Migration for a free international 60-minute discussion on integration strategies that generate equal opportunities in education and accelerate improved academic outcomes for immigrant and second-generation students. More

The largest cities in the
world and their mayors
Statistics: The mayors of the world’s twenty largest cities are each responsible for more people than most national prime ministers. For example, London, ranked 20th in the world, has more residents than nations like Paraguay, Denmark, New Zealand or Ireland, and if Karachi, globally the largest city, was a country it would rank above Greece, Portugal or Hungary. The combined population of the world’s eight megacities comfortably exceeds that of Germany. More

Stuart Drummond
Mayor of Hartlepool
Mayors: Unusually for a civic leader, Hartlepool’s elected mayor is recognisable to most of the UK population, having been elected in 2002 on the back of a joke campaign, which attracted international attention. While Stuart Drummond may have once sought office for less than political reasons, his status as England’s only three term elected mayor shows that voters in the North East town are satisfied with his administration. More

Socio-economic changes may compel
US mayors to consider power sharing
Society: Several research centers in the United States marked the beginning of the new decade with the release of demographic and economic data. Each data set provides a specific perspective of socioeconomic change and is compelling in its own right. Viewed together, however, they indicate a convergence of powerful trends with potentially momentous consequences for US cities, mayors, and government structures. More

England’s elected mayors
have performed rather well
Government: The debate surrounding the introduction of elected mayors in UK local government is one which has polarised both local government itself and the academic and policy communities the most among all others. Fewer topics elicit such vexatious argument and yet evidence-based debate is thin on the ground. What is needed is less fixation on constitutional issues and more on the difference mayors are actually making in their communities. More

Latin American cities: pioneers
of Bus Rapid Transit systems
Transport: Over the past fifteen years, cities throughout Latin America have achieved a modest, yet significant, revolution in urban design through the adoption and refinement of Bus Rapid Transit (BRT) systems. Promising the benefits of developed world transit systems at developing world prices. More

Cities have to develop
into successful brands
Marketing: In today’s environment cities compete against each other for talent, business and resources. In many ways they have to act like commercial enterprises by selling themselves to potential customers – business investors, visitors and the creative classes – as successful, vibrant, forward-looking brands. More

Victorian city halls - monuments
to proud municipal government
City Halls: City halls, built in Britain in the 19th and early 20th century, reflect the glory days of the country’s cities and municipal government. A booming industry as well as trade with North America and the British colonies provided cities like Glasgow, Birmingham and Cardiff with wealth not seen since. Their city halls are fine examples of British municipal architecture conceived to show confidence and pride. David Jennings describes their history, features and current use. | Glasgow | Birmingham | Cardiff |

Nominations sought
for World Mayor 2010
World Mayor: City Mayors, the international think tank on urban affairs, is seeking nominations for the 2010 World Mayor Prize. The Prize, which has been awarded since 2004, honours mayors with the vision, passion and skills to make their cities incredible places to live in, work in and visit. The World Mayor Project aims to show what outstanding mayors can achieve and raise their profiles nationally and internationally. More

Hunger and homelessness
at record levels in US cities
Society: In the last year, US cities have seen the sharpest increase in the demand for hunger assistance since 1991, an increase in family homelessness and a decrease or levelling in individual homelessness. “At this time of historic economic crisis, the issues of hunger and homelessness in America are more prevalent than ever," said Sacramento (CA) Mayor Kevin Johnson. More

Socio-economic changes may compel
US mayors to consider power sharing
Society: Several research centers in the United States marked the beginning of the new decade with the release of demographic and economic data. Each data set provides a specific perspective of socioeconomic change and is compelling in its own right. Viewed together, however, they indicate a convergence of powerful trends with potentially momentous consequences for US cities, mayors, and government structures. More

Mayors and their
political parties
Politics: We are living in the so-called century of the city and most cities are governed by elected mayors. Over the past decade conservatives have scored a number of electoral successes across the world, with many citizens identifying with their messages on security, leaner government and lower taxes. However, research by City Mayors shows that many of the world’s largest and most prominent cities are still governed by mayors from the left or centre-left. More

Mexican mayors offered little
support when assuming office
Politics: Sometimes in developing countries, like Mexico, the biggest challenges for mayors are not those they may face once in office but those just before taking it. Imagine a mayor-elect about to inherit a city with more than 300,000 people, an annual population growth rate of 14 per cent, severe infrastructure problems, a high poverty index and a history of previous inept administrations. Finally imagine inheriting these responsibilities six days before the end of the year. Where does this mayor start? More

The most powerful
cities in the world
Economics: New York City, London, Paris and Tokyo are deemed to be the most powerful cities in the world. New research has assessed 35 cities from across the world based on six criteria: Economy, research and development, livability, accessibility, cultural interaction as well as ecology and natural environment New York scores top marks for its economy as well as R&D, while London is judged to be the world’s cultural capital. Paris is number one for livability and accessibility. More

The most expensive and
richest cities in the world
Economics: Oslo, Zurich, Copenhagen, Geneva, Tokyo and New York have emerged as the world's most expensive cities based on a standardised basket of 122 goods and services. When rent prices are factored into the equation, New York, Oslo, Geneva and Tokyo emerge as especially expensive places to live. The basket costs the least in Kuala Lumpur, Manila, Delhi and Mumbai. The newly introduced iPod index measure how long an employee would have to work to be able to afford the Apple MP3 player. More

Municipal bonds have been issued
by US local government since 1812
Finance: Infrastructure in the US is generally financed through subnational capital financing vehicles, termed municipal bonds, which encompass the issuance of bonds by state and local governments, their agencies and quasi-public bodies generically termed special districts. While the term comprises issuers other than municipalities, the first bond of this trail-blazing genre was issued in 1812 by New York City. More

Swiss and German cities dominate
top places of best cities in the world
Environment: While Zurich, Switzerland’s largest city and the country’s financial capital, is no longer number one, three Swiss cities make it into the top 10 of 'best' cities in the world. According to new research, Vienna, Austria’s capital, is now the city most people would like to call their home. Geneva retains its position in third place. Overall, European cities continue to dominate the top locations in this year’s survey, with German cities particularly well represented among the top 50. Düsseldorf, Munich and Frankfurt are all among the top 10 best cities. More

New legislation could make
US cities great for everyone
Development: A characteristic of American metropolitan areas is residential segregation by race and class. “If you give me a person’s address, I can almost always tell you his income, the quality of public schools his children attend, and the color of his skin,” says William A Johnson, former mayor of Rochester, New York. More

US education needs to prepare
for 2042 demographic time bomb
Education: Attention to education, and its importance, has been made the subject of a renewed and sharper focus following President Obama’s call for reform and the announcement of a new program of advancement. The President realizes the stakes are high. The public might be more willing to see this goal as being as important as their job prospects if he had also made clear that the education problems facing the country coincide with its demographic time bomb due to detonate by 2042. More

Nominations sought
for World Mayor 2010
World Mayor: City Mayors, the international think tank on urban affairs, is seeking nominations for the 2010 World Mayor Prize. The Prize, which has been awarded since 2004, honours mayors with the vision, passion and skills to make their cities incredible places to live in, work in and visit. The World Mayor Project aims to show what outstanding mayors can achieve and raise their profiles nationally and internationally. More

England’s elected mayors
have performed rather well
Government: The debate surrounding the introduction of elected mayors in UK local government is one which has polarised both local government itself and the academic and policy communities the most among all others. Fewer topics elicit such vexatious argument and yet evidence-based debate is thin on the ground. What is needed is less fixation on constitutional issues and more on the difference mayors are actually making in their communities. More

Mayors from Africa, Asia
The Americas and Europe
Mayors: While urban settlements have been around for millennia, increasingly cities are beginning to acquire their own narratives and political importance, not only as places to live but also as drivers of national social values and economies with their own global networks. Though the agglomerative effects of cities as part of globalisation is widely understood and universal, city leadership models remain as diverse as ever, but with common trends on each continent: Africa, Asia, The Americas and Europe.

Stuart Drummond
Mayor of Hartlepool
Mayors: Unusually for a civic leader, Hartlepool’s elected mayor is recognisable to most of the UK population, having been elected in 2002 on the back of a joke campaign, which attracted international attention. While Stuart Drummond may have once sought office for less than political reasons, his status as England’s only three term elected mayor shows that voters in the North East town are satisfied with his administration. More

Victorian city halls - monuments
to proud municipal government
City Halls: City halls, built in Britain in the 19th and early 20th century, reflect the glory days of the country’s cities and municipal government. A booming industry as well as trade with North America and the British colonies provided cities like Glasgow, Birmingham and Cardiff with wealth not seen since. Their city halls are fine examples of British municipal architecture conceived to show confidence and pride. David Jennings describes their history, features and current use. | Glasgow | Birmingham | Cardiff |

Damascus: A historic living city
must not become a theme park
Development: How can ancient cities benefit from the UNESCO world heritage badge and simultaneously avoid becoming a ‘Walt Disney’ for tourists? Syria’s capital, Damascus, is the oldest continuously lived in city in the world and is in danger of this phenomenon. With its five-star hotels and so-called ‘VIP pockets’, the locals are being driven out in droves. More

Cities have to develop
into successful brands
Marketing: In today’s environment cities compete against each other for talent, business and resources. In many ways they have to act like commercial enterprises by selling themselves to potential customers – business investors, visitors and the creative classes – as successful, vibrant, forward-looking brands. More

US public bus systems face
rising demand and deficits
Transport: Busses are a common, if unglamorous, feature of US cities. Each day they transport over 3.5 million people from home to work, according to the US Census Bureau. About 20 per cent more people rely on busses for their daily commute than all other forms of mass transit combined, including trains, subways, light rail, and trolleys. Busses are the workhorses of American public transportation, yet they struggle financially. More

Mexico City’s Metrobus system
perfect for cash-strapped cities
Transport: A prestigious award has been conferred on Mexico City’s Metrobus new public transport system for its significant contribution to improving both air quality and generally making life easier for hard-pressed citizens. Bus journey times have been halved and carbon dioxide greenhouse gas emissions have been reduced by 80,000 tons a year. More

Urban events, conferences
seminars and conventions
Events (International): City Mayors’ directory of urban events, conferences, seminars and conventions is aimed at city leaders, urban decision makers and those with an interest in cities worldwide. The directory provides specialists with comprehensive lists of events tailored to their areas of interest. More

Christmas Eve in an
English seaside town
Metro Mensch: And they praised the English Queen and they wished her Merry Christmas and they shouted “we are safe, we are in England.” It was the Uzbekistani who broke the silence the group had kept since leaving Calais hidden in a truck. Thirteen refugees, from across Asia, hugged, kissed and shook hands. In three hours they would be in London, some with addresses to go to, others with a little money and a great deal of hope. But the joy of the group was to be short-lived because among them was a man who made his living by delivering refugees to the authorities. More

City Mayors supports mayors who have the vision, the passion and the skills to make their cities amazing places to live, to work and to visit

Stuart Drummond - Twice re-elected

Haitian mayor accused of selling earthquake relief aid

New Orleans elects first white mayor since 1978

Mayor threatens demolition of homes in East Jerusalem

Rome mayor calls closure of Roma camp a success

Barcelona's Mayor criticised for wanting the 2022 Winter Olympics

Pakistan’s President says local elections will be held

No 9/11 trial in New York after Bloomberg changed his mind

US suburbs face growing poverty

Moscow’s Mayor calls Gay Pride a satanic act

Karachi is the world's largest city

Doncaster council to face government investigation

Mediterranean cities agree co-operation

Japanese voters reject US base

New Birmingham mayor promises to restore pride

Urban Britain or a tale of two nations

Pakistan’s parties argue over rule of large cities

Business Improvement Districts are unashamedly business-led

World Mayor publishes first list of candidates for the 2010 Prize

Plans to relocate Korean government abandoned

UK Labour Party accused of dirty tricks over referendum

US cities contemplate moving election dates

City Mayors events: Worldwide, 24 categories, free listings

The largest cities in the world by land area, population and density

Code of Ethics for mayors

The world's largest urban areas in 2006 and 2020

Nominations sought for World Mayor 2010

Mayors and their political parties

Cities have to develop into successful brands

Swiss and German cities dominate ranking of best cities in the world

The most expensive and richest cities in the world

Federated local government offers advantages over more centralised or fragmented systems

Western Europe has the most egalitarian cities in the world

European and US mayors take lead in tackling global warming

Multi-tier local government systems adopted in many parts of the world

How good is your Mayor?

New York, London and Paris rank first in a new index of global cities

Local government

Mayors of the world

The world's city halls

Green mega cities

Asia has become home to world's fastest growing cities

21st century cities: Home to new riches and great misery

Urban events, conferences, seminars and conventions

Global urbanisation: Threats and benefits

Historic Cities - Living Cities

Mayors from The Americas

Local government in The Americas

City Halls in The Americas

North American cities on the internet

A review of the pros and cons of increased interlocal cooperation in local government

Socio-economic changes may compel US mayors to consider power sharing

US public bus systems face rising demand and deficits

Pittsburgh and Los Angeles the most polluted US cities

US education needs to prepare for 2042 demographic time bomb

Municipal bonds have been issued by US local government since 1812

Latin American cities: pioneers of Bus Rapid Transit systems

Mexican mayors offered little support when assuming office

Mexico City’s Metrobus system perfect for cash-strapped cities

Sao Paulo’s Alphaville gated community - an early answer to middle-class insecurity

Mayors from Europe

City Halls in Europe

Local government in Europe

England’s elected mayors have performed rather well

Swiss and German cities dominate top 10 of 'best' cities in the world

London, Paris and Frankfurt remain Europe’s favourite business cities

German and Nordic cities perform well in European economic report

European cities introduce new tram-train technology

Paris.London and Barcelona are Europe's top city brands

Business Improvement Districts are unashamedly business-led

European Cities of Culture 1985 to 2019

Mayors from Asia

Local government in Asia

Mayors from Asia and Australia

City Halls in Asia

Damascus: A historic living city must not become a theme park

Changes in Asia’s fast growing cities are closely watched across the world

China's urban transition causes growing inequality

China is at the forefront of the greatest urban-industrial revolution of all time

Megacities must urgently address the needs of slum dwellers

Indian will need new cities

Time bomb is ticking away for India’s cities

Dubai and Shanghai examples of wasteful urban development

Metro Mensch in Baghdad

Tokyo Metro: The world’s cleanest and most extensive subway system

Mayors from Australia

City Halls in Australia

Local government in Australia

Mayors from Asia and Australia

African mayors

Mayors from Africa

Local government in Africa

Durban looks beyond the 2010 World Cup

By 2030 Africa will change from rural to urban society

Helen Zille - My aim for South Africa: An open, opportunity-driven society

Success of future megacities will depend on cooperation between citizens and authorities

Mauritania’s urban slums offer no support to rural newcomers

African cities demand access to basic services