URBAN POVERTY IS much influenced by what city or municipal governments do -or do not do ; also by what they can or cannot do.This is often forgotten -as discussions of poverty and the best means to reduce poverty tend to concentrate on the role of national government and international agencies.One reason why the role of local government has been given so little attention has been the tendency to view (and measure)poverty only in terms of inadequate income or consumption. As an understanding of poverty widens -for instance to include poor quality and/or insecure housing, inadequate services (water,sanitation,health care, access to education)and lack of civil and political rights -so does the greater current or potential role of local government to contribute to poverty reduction.The potential contribution of local government to poverty reduct ion is further enhanced, as protection from discrimination and from economic shocks, disasters, crime and violence are also recognized as part of poverty reduction.