Fresh impetus is to be put into efforts to create more elected city mayors, a senior government adviser has said. Delegates at the Sustainable Cities Summit, organised by Westminster City Council, with support from the United Nations, were told the UK needed more cities capable of competing with London and meeting environmental goals. Professor Mark Kleinman, director of regional, urban and economic policy at the DCLG, said governance would be critical to meeting the two aims. ‘We want a more devolved system and we want a city to have more responsibility,' he said. ‘But that doesn't mean one-size-fits all. London has an elected mayor. ‘We see things moving in that direction, but these changes will have to be made at a local level.' Cities such as Middlesbrough have elected mayors, but the initiative has not taken hold with public opinion. Nevertheless, Professor Kleinman urged a rethink. He said: ‘Globalisation has made place actually more important, not less. ‘We very much see the role of central government in support. ‘The role of local authorities will be crucial to growth. ‘The quality of place and quality of locality are a key part of economic investment.' Daniel Mouawad, chairman of the Institution of Economic Development and a key figure in the regeneration of Manchester, said devolution would prevent UK cities falling behind rivals, such as Barcelona. He said: ‘It's crucial that the UK economy is not London, full-stop. We must aspire to have a number of cities which are genuinely global. Cities are currently not punching to their true potential. They don't have the devolved powers or resources to dictate their economic destiny. He warned: ‘Our cities are increasingly falling behind their benchmark cities in other countries.'
