This course aims to enable students to identify the main factors that contribute to good urban management practices, and to build their understanding of adequate responses to urban management challenges. The course strives to reach this aim by: 1) reflecting on ways in which the institutional settings of specific cities shape the potential for successful urban management practices; 2) reflecting on the specific characteristics of Asian cities, and their consequences for urban management; 3) presenting and discussing good urban management practices in various policy fields from cities in Asia and elsewhere; 4) focussing on urban management challenges that might be especially taxing in the Asian metropolis. While the overall course will have a special focus on the Asian metropolis – against the background of a discussion of urban management internationally – throughout the course cities in mainland China will receive special attention.