The book contributes to answering the questions raised by mayors, governors, and federal government officials in Brazil: "What can cities do to improve economic performance and create jobs?" The question is approached through a review of theories and policy options for city competitiveness,...

Policies on municipal actions to promote local competitiveness have typically focused in three areas: i) providing infrastructure (transportation, telecommunications, water & sanitation, etc.); ii) improving public services (education, health, public security, housing, etc.); and iii) reducing...

Given the Brazilian federal government's high priority on economic growth, competitiveness is at the top of the economic agenda. While economic policies at the national level are important to this agenda, more than 75 percent of people live in urban areas, which produce more than 90 percent of...