Center for Urban Innovation holds workshop

ASU's Center for Urban Innovation in the School of Public Affairs played host to nearly 100 regional mayors, city managers and city council members at its first workshop April 18 at the Downtown Phoenix campus.

James Svara, a professor in the School of Public Affairs and director of the center, organized the workshop.

Kathie Novak, the mayor of Northglenn Colo., and second vice president of the National League of Cities, presented the keynote address on the conference's overall theme of effective mayoral leadership. The League of Arizona Cities and Towns co-sponsored the event, which also was presented by the newly named Bob Ramsey Executive Education Program in the School of Public Affairs .

In her speech, Novak emphasized the importance of “role clarity” and a mayor's responsibility for “holding the vision” of a city.