You tube is becoming a very good resource for insights into urban planning and management. “ITunes university” has put together a series of TED videos with nice insights.
Here are some links. On iphone no video, but follow the link.
City leadership
Jaime Lerner of Curitiba gives a TED lecture on his experience, and ends up with a rap -” the sustainability song”. Gives an idea of the character of a very influential person who combined technical vision and capacity with political ability over a number of years. “creativity starts when you take a zero off your budget”
for Iphone
http://www.ted.com/talks/jaime_lerner_sings_of_the_city.html