In a unique contributed volume that features chapters written by top scholars paired with practitioner responses, students can see just how much the landscape of intergovernmental relations has evolved in recent years, with diminishing vertical flows of resources, and increased horizontal flows in the form of cross-jurisdictional and interlocal collaboration.

Book & CD. In a developmental state like South Africa, municipalities have the specific responsibility of generating growth and development in their areas of jurisdiction. Through consultative processes, municipal goals and functioning are in the public domain. As co-creator of the future of local communities, municipalities must master the totality of local governance. To do this, current and prospective municipal managers need to understand, for example: the role and functions of municipalities in South Africa; the constitutional dispensation as it affects municipalities; the strategic orientation of municipalities within the global and national contexts; the capacities and resources available; best practices as far as management processes, procedures and methods are concerned. The book explores the multifaceted nature of municipal management in South Africa and focuses the readers attention on selected key strategic issues such as: local economic development; local democracy; disaster risk reduction.