Public-private partnerships are becoming increasingly important in the local economic development efforts of many cities. This collection of essays compares US cities with those in western Europe. Conceptual issues are discussed, and comparisons at the city level illustrate the process, pitfalls and results of such partnerships. Readers should be able to understand the types of partnership arrangements used in each country. Factors contributing to the success of these arrangements are discussed and compared. Scholars and students of local economic development and public finance, as well as public officials and economic development practitioners should benefit from the comparative framework used in this volume.