For the first time in human history, most people live in cities. Local and regional governments deal with many core issues that affect our daily lives, ranging from economic development and land use planning, to public housing and homelessness, immigrant settlement, and public transit. Yet non-governmental actors such as organized business interests and community based organizations also actively participate in urban politics and policymaking processes. This course examines the political process at the city-region level, exploring patterns of conflict and collaboration among governmental and community-based actors attempting to formulate solutions to complex 21st century urban problems. Using an urban political economy lens that draws attention to how globalization shapes urban fortunes, we examine questions of local political agency, framing out key local government structures and processes as well as major policy issues facing cities in North America and Europe. In particular, we focus on the prospects for policy innovation that integrates urban economic growth, social inclusion and environmental sustainability.