Since the introduction of direct local elections in Indonesia in 2005, urban issues have garnered increasing scholarly attention. Numerous observers— including some who write in this volume—have suggested that urban leadership has emerged as a pivotal factor alongside urban planning in influencing how a city develops, and how effective a city government is at meeting the aspirations and needs of its residents. In this chapter, I bring my personal perspective on this issue, drawing on my decade of experience as mayor of Bogor city (2014–2024) and as chairperson of the Association of Indonesian Municipal Governments (Asosiasi Pemerintah Kota Seluruh Indonesia, Apeksi) since 2021. I focus on investigating urban leadership dynamics, the obstacles mayors encounter as they go about the tasks of urban governance and planning, and the models of leadership employed. While I draw primarily on my own experiences, I am sure that the perspectives articulated here mirror in many respects the daily experiences of many mayors and regional leaders in Indonesia. At the same time, from my position as Apeksi chairperson, I have observed how mayors in different parts of the country exhibit unique leadership approaches to tackle the myriad challenges faced by their respective cities, so I acknowledge from the start that no other mayor's experience or perspective will exactly resemble mine.

This chapter is organised into five sections. The first section discusses how the campaign process influences leadership effectiveness in each city. The next section addresses the challenges and issues confronted by mayors during their tenure. The third section discusses the leadership strategies they commonly adopt to confront these challenges. The fourth section provides an overview of the future of Indonesian cities within the context of democracy, regional autonomy and decentralisation. I conclude by emphasising my optimism and faith in Indonesia's system of local governance.

Campaign funds and public policies

Local political campaigns play a pivotal role in determining election outcomes and shaping the subsequent decision-making processes of elected officials. Consequently, the issue of campaign funding becomes important. If a mayoral candidate lacks sufficient personal financial resources to fund their own campaign, securing adequate funding sources poses a significant challenge.