Implicit within urban governance is the necessity of a holistic, comprehensiveview of urban economic development, and a clear understandingof its linkages to investment promotion, competitive advantage urban management capacity, and responsiveness to the requirements of the private sector. Urban economic development is an interrelatedr complex process that requires the creation of an enabling environmentthat supports productive firms and individuals; promotes conditionsfor efficient urban markets for land, laborr end credit; and capitalizeson an urban center's competitive and comparative advantages.Cities and other urban centers must be able to develop such a vision andan associated enabling environment through intensive consultation, participatorycommunity processes' and innovative partnerships. Importantly.urban centers must be able to articulate this vision to the worldat large. while at the same time strengthen urban governance through acontinuing process of self-monitoring and evaluation.