It's been over two years since the first article in "The Commentary" concerning downtown management. Since then a lot has changed in Lodz, but not the management methods and as a matter of fact, their lack in the city centre. Recently came some "good signs", like Sztab Piotrkowska (Piotrkowska Staff) and I hope that the vice-president being on vacation, the one that was involved in the process of building management formula for Piotrkowska Street from the beginning, does not mean clipping the wings for this initiative. But, one at a time.

„Alinka left" - my work colleague informed me in the morning as soon as I stepped into the office. "Which Alinka?" - I asked, totally surprised. "You know, Gierdyś from road management". „What do you mean left, did she die?" - I asked further. „No, she took a holiday and she's not coming back". After years of absolute traffic jams, congestion in public transport, feeling ashamed for what's going on here, I thought..." the mills of God grind slowly, but they grind exceeding small".

Almost a month ago, a story of a land arrangement plan in the Lodz district of Janów, caught the attention of the national media. After an undisputable negligence in creating a friendly housing estate by the municipal authorities, an opposition formed against building yet another block of flats - on green area this time. Unfortunately the residents' good intentions towards shaping a pleasant space, provided a breeding-ground for sensation, a material to speculate and manipulate.

First edition of Think Tank MBA Program arranged by Atlas Economic Research Foundation, the world's biggest NGO's supporting organization, took place between July 20th and August 2nd. The Program aimed at improving the work of non-governmental organizations with professional management tools, used by managers in private companies. The event gathered 26 people representing 21 countries from all over the world. Marcin Węgierski, representative of the "Project Lodz" Foundation and Coalition Relations' Department Director, was among the invited participants.

Competition mounts in the globalization era, not only in national economies but also between each region and each city. People and resources travel around the world looking for a convenient location. Competing for these resources takes place on various levels, e.g. continents, 27 EU members and within those countries, regions and communes. To face these challenges self-governments ought to alter their philosophy of governing local communities, and in our case - the city. They must not only administer (some would say "paper-push") but also begin to effectively and successfully manage the communes. Manage as if they were running a public service unit, for which the citizens are desired and expected customers and not intrusive petitioners - as it, at times, happens currently.