無論古今中外，都市於形成之後，就有管理的問題發生。惟管理是有時代性的。工業革命以前的都市管理注重對市民提供經濟有效的公共服務；廿世紀世界人口都市化以後的都市管理則以解決層出不窮的都市問題為重點。

溯自工業革命發生以後，都市人口激增，都市實質環境，社會形態及市民的生活方式，均起了重大的變化。並由之帶來了許多複雜的問題。例如環境污染及公害問題、貧窮與救濟問題、勞工與失業問題、交通與運輸問題，犯罪問題、環境衛生及疾病問題、房荒問題、娛樂及遊憩問題及政府行政效能問題等。這些複雜的問題如何才能獲得改善或解決。乃是「都市行政學」所要研究的內容。

No matter in ancient or modern times, at home and abroad, management problems have occurred since cities were formed. But management is relevant to the times. Urban management before the industrial revolution focused on providing economical and effective public services to citizens; urban management after the urbanization of the world's population in the 20th century focused on solving endless urban problems.

Since the industrial revolution, the urban population has surged, and the urban physical environment, social form, and citizens' lifestyles have all undergone major changes. And it brings about many complex problems. For example, environmental pollution and nuisance issues, poverty and relief issues, labor and unemployment issues, traffic and transportation issues, crime issues, environmental sanitation and disease issues, housing shortage issues, entertainment and recreation issues, and government administrative efficiency issues, etc. How can these complex problems be improved or solved. This is what “urban administration” studies.

1.David C. Ranney. Planning and Politics in the Metropolis. Charles E Mccrrill Publishing Co. Columbus Ohio.
2.Donald H. Webster. Urban Planning and Municipal public policy. New York：Harper and Raw.
3.I.K. Loewenstein. Urban Studies. New York. The Free Press
4.David K. Hamilton. Governing Metropolitan Areas : Response to Growth and Change. New York : Change Garland Publishing .inc. 1999.
5.Helen Sullivan & Chris Skelcher. Working Across Boundaries: Collaboration in Public Services. New York : Palgrave MacMillan. 2002.
6.張麗堂、唐學斌：「市政學」台北 五南圖書出版公司 1990
7.林英彥等：「都市計畫與行政」台北 國立空中大學 2000
8.邱昌泰：「災難管理學」台北 元照出版社 2000
9.吳定，張潤書，陳德禹，賴維堯/編著 ：　「行政學」台北　空中大學　2003　
10.孫本初：「公共管理」　台北 智勝文化　2001
11.紀俊臣：「市政管理與法制」　台北　馬陵出版社　2001

1.David C. Ranney. Planning and Politics in the Metropolis. Charles E Mccrrill Publishing Co. Columbus Ohio.
2.Donald H. Webster. Urban Planning and Municipal public policy. New York: Harper and Raw.
3.I.K. Loewenstein. Urban Studies. New York. The Free Press
4.David K. Hamilton. Governing Metropolitan Areas: Response to Growth and Change. New York: Change Garland Publishing.inc. 1999.
5. Helen Sullivan & Chris Skelcher. Working Across Boundaries: Collaboration in Public Services. New York: Palgrave MacMillan. 2002.
6. Zhang Litang, Tang Xuebin: "Public Administration" Taipei Wunan Book Publishing Company 1990
7. Lin Yingyan and others: "Urban Planning and Administration" Taipei National Hangzhou University 2000
8. Qiu Changtai: "Disaster Management" Taipei Yuan Zhao Publishing House 2000
9. Wu Ding, Zhang Runshu, Chen Deyu, Lai Weiyao/Editor: "Administrative Science" Taipei Air University 2003
10. Sun Benchu: "Public Management" Taipei Zhi Sheng Culture 2001
11. Ji Junchen: "Municipal Management and Legal System" Taipei, Maling Publishing House, 2001