Activities Of Local Authorities Research Articles

Mapping vulnerability to climate-related hazards to inform local authority action in adaptation: A feasibility study

BackgroundLocal authorities have a crucial role in building community resilience to the health effects of a changing climate. Support in achieving local action can be provided through improving available public health intelligence to inform decision making. We aimed to co-develop with a local authority a tool mapping vulnerability to climate related hazards. MethodsWe conducted a feasibility study, exploring through stakeholder engagement local priorities and levers for action in adaptation that could be informed by provision of increased intelligence. This informed co-development of a proof-of-concept tool. ResultsStakeholders reported needs in better understanding the intersection between vulnerability and hazard to facilitate partnership working, decision making, and targeting of interventions. We developed a mapping tool, using nationally available data, overlaying a vulnerability index with hazard (heat and flooding) exposure. ConclusionsMapping tools are feasible methods by which public health intelligence to support climate change adaptation planning can be shared. Barriers to action may result from the complexity of vulnerability, concerns of unintended consequences, and resource constraints. Co-development with local expertise is necessary to ensure that outputs add value to local response. This tool will now be piloted to gather feedback on useability, usefulness, and potential improvements.

Blurring the Lines Between Public and Nonprofit Sectors: Local Efforts to Create Inclusive Communities

Local governments and nonprofits share the common goal of enhancing local community well-being, despite variations in funding sources, governance structure, and authority. Their joint efforts in responding to increasing immigrant concerns shed light on their motivations to address emerging challenges. Through interviews, original surveys, and secondary datasets, this study unveils that both sectors respond to rising foreign-born populations, shifting local racial demographics, and an aging populace. While political context significantly shapes local government actions, nonprofits are propelled by grant opportunities. These findings underscore sector commonalities and disparities and how the two sectors can continue to work together or independently to address community issues.

Early Response to the Conflict of Houses of Worship Construction through the CGR (Collaboration Governance Regime) Model in Tangerang Regency, Indonesia

The construction of houses of worship in some areas of Indonesia often causes social conflict. In some cases, the conflict of houses of worship can be resolved well and some are not resolved. The establishment of houses of worship in Tangerang Regency, Banten Province, namely the construction of HKBP Rogate, GKBJ Sepatan, and GBI Tanjakan churches also triggered the social conflict. This article aims to reveal the chronology of the conflict over the construction of the three churches and the local government's actions in overcoming the conflict issues that arose. These three cases were studied by researchers using a qualitative approach and analyzed using the CGR (Collaborative Governance Regime) model. This CGR model analysis is part of the early response of the parties related to the conflict and can reveal the weaknesses, and strengths in the conflict resolution of the establishment of houses of worship. The data collection method uses interview techniques and documentation studies. The findings of this research show that in the three cases of conflict, two cases show an escalating conflict (the emergence of mass action), and one case does not escalate. Conflict resolution against the establishment of the three houses of worship by the government and community leaders can prevent conflict escalation in the form of mass mobilization if the parties succeed in identifying problems at the location. Identification of parties who have the authority to determine the final direction of the conflict, especially those who reject the presence or establishment of houses of worship, is important in conflict resolution efforts. The success of conflict resolution efforts depends on the involvement of all parties who are authorized to determine the end of the conflict.

Climate change and public health: An evaluation framework for local government

ObjectivesTo develop and pilot an evaluation framework for assessing the engagement of local government public health teams in England on climate change and sustainability. These teams are uniquely positioned to address local health impacts of climate change and promote health co-benefits of mitigation. No statutory framework currently exists to support their engagement in this agenda. Study designLiterature review and two cross sectional surveys. MethodsA group of public health professionals conducted a literature review and agreed on criteria based on statutory responsibilities and remit of these teams, available information, and opportunities for local government action. With the resulting framework, this group evaluated all 11 local governments in the East of England region, and then conducted a follow-up survey to assess the framework’s impact and acceptability. ResultsAn evaluation framework was developed with 21 criteria in two sections. The first assessed overall local government action and leadership in climate change and sustainability, to understand the context in which the public health team was situated. The second assessed the climate change related actions undertaken by the public health team.All 11 local governments in the East of England region completed the evaluation. Results indicated inconsistencies in local public health team action on and engagement with climate change and health. Ten local governments completed the follow-up survey on acceptability and impact, reporting that the evaluation was easy to complete. Seven out of ten respondents found that the evaluation had influenced change or reflection within their organisation, for example through identifying gaps and prompting more collaboration between teams. ConclusionsThis evaluation framework is a useful and acceptable tool to assess local government public health engagement and leadership on climate change and sustainability. If used more widely, it could help to support public health teams to advance much-needed action in this area.

THE PRINCIPLE OF THE RULE OF LAW IN THE SYSTEM OF LOCAL SELF-GOVERNMENT

The principle of the rule of law, or legal guarantee, plays a key role in the system of local government, providing a framework and restrictions for the actions of local authorities. This principle implies that all actions and decisions taken by local authorities must comply with the law, including legislation at higher levels of government, constitutional norms and local legal acts. The rule of law in the system of local self-government ensures legal stability, protection of the rights and freedoms of citizens, prevents arbitrariness and corruption, and also helps ensure justice and equality before the law for all members of society.

Mangrove forest composition, diversity, and disturbances in Carcar City and Sibonga Municipality, Southern Cebu Island, Philippines

Abstract. Lillo EP, Malaki AB, Alcazar SMT, Chavez MLM, Rosales R, Tomol CJ, Pantinople EM, Redoblado BR, Margate MA, Diaz JL, Isabelo JL, Cagara BNR, Abrigana M, Mago JE, Cañarijo III DM, Sanchez IRG, Obando ME, Belañizo J, Beceril R, Carreon J, Diaz GGG, Gonzaga CFO, Davirao CR, Revillas MJS, Lim JM, Lillo EP. 2024. Mangrove forest composition, diversity, and disturbances in Carcar City and Sibonga Municipality, Southern Cebu Island, Philippines. Biodiversitas 25: 2035-2043. Mangrove forests are one of the world’s most vulnerable tropical ecosystems. The study assessed the mangrove forest composition, diversity, and disturbances in Sibonga Municipality and Carcar City, Cebu Island, Philippines, as a basis for its conservation planning. A transect line was established for a minimum length of 1000 m and a maximum of 2000 m (seaward, middleward, and landward), at an interval of 100 meters. A 10 × 10 m quadrant was established within the transect line at 250 m intervals resulted in a total of 108 plots. Disturbances and threats in two sampling sites were evaluated through direct field observations and interview, and analyzed using the Beynen and Townsend disturbance index. The study identified 22 true mangrove species categorized into 11 families and 14 genera with Excoecaria agallocha L., Sonneratia alba Sm., Rhizophora apiculata Blume, and Avicennia marina (Forssk.) Vierh dominating both sites. The endangered Pemphis acidula J.R.Forst. & G.Forst. was recorded in Sibonga. Aside from low diversity, both sites exhibited a high disturbance index due to illegal activities such as cutting, charcoal production, and land conversion. Such disturbances affects biodiversity and threatens coastal community. Urgent local government action is needed to preserve these ecosystems, emphasizing awareness and community involvement for long-term survival.

From the Three Rs to the “Culture Wars”? How Australians Perceive Local Government Action on Climate Change, Indigenous Reconciliation, and LGBTQIA + Advocacy

Australian local government has rarely been the domain where entrenched and polarising cultural disputes play out, and is instead most often associated with the “3Rs”: roads, rates, and rubbish. However, in recent years, a growing number of local councils from across Australia have taken exceptional and unprecedented steps, sometimes in defiance of state and federal governments, to address some of the country's most ideologically contentious issues. Drawing on long-established American urban politics literature on local politics and culture war conflicts, this research note offers an empirical account of the public understandings and perceptions of local government roles in the realm of contentious politics, an area that has not yet been addressed in the emerging Australian literature. Our findings from a representative nation-wide survey (n = 1,350) indicate that a majority of Australians believe that local governments should be involved in matters relating to climate change, Indigenous reconciliation, and LGBTQIA + advocacy.

Mobilizing institutional capacities to adapt to climate change: local government collaboration networks for risk management in Mexico City

State-centered and hierarchical government strategies based on technocratic top-down approaches have proved inadequate to address multiple interacting and cross-scale risks. In contrast, multilevel governance (MLG) provides a form of governance by networks that operate both in a horizontal arena with neighboring local governments, civil society organizations, and local communities, and in vertical settings, with higher-level governmental authorities and international organizations. In this paper, we examined the role and experience of local governments in a multilevel governance system for risk management in Mexico City. We sought to understand what collaborative resources local governments have to address multiple risks in Mexico City? How do they mobilize these resources in specific actions to address a risk, and how do they interact with different levels on diverse organizational scales? Our results show that resources for vertical and horizontal collaboration were key for local governments for coordination to address multiple risks. We found that collaboration was more common between local governments and with the subnational government. Also, the most common actions focused on forecasting and prevention, as well as preparedness and relief of multiple risks. We found evidence of successful elements of multilevel governance and identified the need for further research on the engagement and representation for non-governmental organizations and private actors in networks of risk management. The results from this study provide a better understanding of the arrangement of collaborative resources underlying local government actions under a state of urgency and scarcity, where action cannot wait for institutional change.

Local government stakeholders' perceptions of potential policy actions to influence both climate change and healthy eating in Victoria: A qualitative study.

Climate change is a defining public health issue of the 21st century. Food systems are drivers of diet-related disease burden, and account for 30% of global greenhouse gas emissions. Local governments play a crucial role in improving both the healthiness and environmental sustainability of food systems, but the potential for their actions to simultaneously address these two issues is unclear. This study aimed to explore the perceptions of Australian local government stakeholders regarding policy actions simultaneously addressing healthy eating and climate change, and the influences on policy adoption. We conducted 11 in-depth semi-structured interviews with stakeholders from four local governments in Victoria, Australia. Data were analysed using reflexive thematic analysis. We applied Multiple Streams Theory (MST) 'problem', 'politics and 'policy' domains to explain policy adoption influences at the local government level. Key influences on local government action aligned with MST elements of 'problem' (e.g., local government's existing risk reports as drivers for climate change action), 'policy' (e.g., budgetary constraints) and 'politics' (e.g., local government executive agenda). We found limited evidence of coherent policy action in the areas of community gardens, food procurement and urban land use. Barriers to further action, such as resource constraints and competing priorities, could be overcome by better tailoring policy action areas to community needs, with the help of external partnerships and local government executive support. SO WHAT?: This study demonstrates that Victorian local stakeholders believe they are well-positioned to implement feasible and coherent interventions that address both healthy eating and climate.

TÜRKİYE’DE AFET YÖNETİMİ VE YENİ BİR MODEL ÖNERİSİ: KARDEŞ ŞEHİR AFET YÖNETİM MODELİ

The concept of interaction, which has found more space in international relations with globalization, has also expanded the field of action of local governments. Sister city relations are among the international collaborations of local governments representing cities, regions and states. Managers of Washington-Hyogo, California-Osaka and Hawaii-Hiroshima sister cities in the USA and Japan and managers various regional non-governmental organizations made some recommendations at the end of the three-day conference process where lessons learned and best practices on planning, preparation and response to natural disasters were shared. Taking these recommendations into consideration, sister city relations were considered as a disaster management model in the context of local governments at national level. In the model, city pairings were made by taking into consideration factors such as fault line, population, cities not being close to each other, geographical location, etc. The main purpose of these pairings is to prevent managerial uncertainty and other weaknesses that may arise in the event of a possible disaster and to take action quickly. With the sister city disaster management model, it is thought that sharing the knowledge and experiences of sister cities regarding past disasters among themselves will provide significant contributions to the cities.

Участие органов местного самоуправления в решении проблемы невостребованных земельных долей (на примере отдельно взятого муниципалитета)

The article deals with issues related to the actions of local governments in relation to unclaimed land shares. Specific examples of their work in the municipalities of the Saratov region are given, the problems that have arisen, including during the subsequent formation of plots due to such shares, are indicated. A positive assessment was given to the new rules coming into force from 2025, according to which all such shares will be transferred out of court to municipal ownership at one time.

Labor lacuna: Disjunctures between local climate action and workforce development in advancing just transitions

ABSTRACT U.S. cities have launched expansive climate action initiatives, often touting these efforts’ economic development and job creation benefits. However, without creating the conditions for high-quality jobs and improved access and inclusion, climate mitigation initiatives may be shaped by neoliberal labor principles that sustain inequality. Drawing upon just transition, economic development, and workforce planning literature, we examine the role of workforce development in municipal climate mitigation efforts. Using Austin, Texas, as a critical case, and interviews with local public and non-profit organizations, we illustrate robust green job growth in a range of occupations can provide access to career-building, quality jobs for economically disenfranchised residents. Our case demonstrates that when state policies hamper just transition efforts, local government actions can still shape better outcomes. These case study insights can extend to numerous urban regions where state government policies work strongly against joining climate action and equitable economic development.

Current organizational, legal and land management activities when transferring rights to unclaimed land shares to municipalities (by example of Saratov region)

The purpose of the article is to consider organizational, legal and land management issues related to the actions of local governments in relation to unclaimed land shares. The paper contains the examples of such work in the municipalities of the Saratov region, and indicates the problems happened in the process of formation of land plots from the shares of this type. The authors give a positive assessment to the new rules coming into force in 2025, according to which there will be a one-time extrajudicial transfer of all such shares into municipal ownership. It is indicated that in order to ensure the solution of this process, it is necessary to promptly update the entire system of legislation on land management, as well as introduce modern digital technologies.

THE COLLECTIVE TERRITORIAL INTEREST, A NEW PARADIGM FOR TERRITORIAL PUBLIC ACTION?

The segmentation of the public interest through the specialisation of the powers of local authorities has made public action more complex. The concept of collective territorial interest could be an interesting way of collectively reorganising the ways in which public institutions act. The territorial collective interest is based on the idea of a new conception of the territory, seen as dynamic and evolving. It is based on cooperation between all the public and private players in the area. It is organised around open, collaborative governance and is formally embodied in a regional project co-constructed with civil society. More than just the sum of local public interests, it would give new meaning to the actions of local authorities and improve their effectiveness in meeting the needs of local residents and stakeholders

The essence and features of the legal regulation of budget expenditures on the sector of national security and defense under the conditions of the state of martial

The article deals with the essence and peculiarities of the legal regulation of budget expenditures for the national security and defense sector in the conditions of martial law, and determines their impact on ensuring the country's economy, defense capability, as well as the security of the state and society. It is substantiated that ensuring the appropriate level of financing of the national security and defense sector is an important component for the effective functioning and protection of the state. It was found that the source of resources for the implementation of such priority functions of the state as ensuring national security and defense are the funds of the state budget and local budgets. The actual definition of the concept of «budget expenditures» was formulated, and the analysis of the main legal acts regulating the financing of the security and defense sector of Ukraine was carried out. The peculiarities of financing and logistical support of the national resistance in particular, and the national security and defense sector as a whole are highlighted. It is pointed out the need to make changes to regulatory legal acts to ensure proper financing of the national security and defense sector, taking into account the requirements for prevention and elimination of factors that contribute to the emergence and spread of corruption in this area. Proposals have been formulated to improve the current legislation of Ukraine in terms of ensuring proper financing of the national security and defense sector and effective use of budget expenditures for the specified sector in war conditions, in particular: increasing expenditures for the national security and defense sector and determining their optimal structure; filling local budgets due to effective actions of local authorities; development of a unified budget strategy for financing the security and defense sector; ensuring proper state control over budget expenditures for the security and defense sector by creating a separate independent unit.

Formation of political trust and support for local government actions during crisis: Hotel employees’ perspectives

PurposeThis study explores how institutional and cultural factors influence political trust among hotel employees and its impact on support for local government actions, with implications for hotel leadership and regulatory compliance.Design/methodology/approachEmploying a quantitative approach and structural equation modeling (SEM-PLS), the study integrates institutional and cultural theories of trust. Data were collected from 444 frontline hotel employees via mTurk in May 2021.FindingsThe research reveals insights into the significant role of institutional and cultural factors in shaping political trust among hotel employees. Moreover, it demonstrates a positive correlation between political trust and support for local government actions.Research limitations/implicationsThis research has limitations to acknowledge. The sample size may restrict generalizability, and data from May 2021 might not capture long-term trends. Furthermore, relying solely on quantitative data may overlook individual nuances and complexities.Practical implicationsHotel leadership can leverage these findings to prioritize building political trust among employees, leading to better support for government actions and regulatory compliance.Social implicationsFostering trust between hotel employees and governing bodies can foster more effective collaboration, benefiting the hotel industry and the broader community.Originality/valueThis research contributes to the existing body of knowledge by presenting a novel conceptual model that integrates institutional theory and cultural theory of trust to examine the formation of political trust in the context of hotel employees. The application of this model to the hospitality industry adds to the limited research available in this area.

Граффити как часть городской культуры Владивостока

The important factors in the emergence of graffiti in cities are the demand for this informal art direction among youth and tourists. The art of street painting is represented by colorful stylized inscriptions and murals on the walls. Art objects carry a certain message. The visual context dominates historical plots and personalities, acute social and political issues. The aim of the study is to describe the features of urban graffiti on the territory of the capital of Primorsky Krai. Methods of included observation, qualitative content analysis, which allows discover-ing hidden meanings, and the method of comparison are used in the work. In the context of the cultural dis-course, attention is focused on the actions of local authorities and talented artists aimed at popularizing the city’s cultural heritage in modern ways. Vladivostok’s legitimate graffiti is considered as a creative trend, trans-forming houses in the city center and beyond.

Priorities for research to support local authority action on health and climate change: a study in England

BackgroundEvidence is needed to support local action to reduce the adverse health impacts of climate change and maximise the health co-benefits of climate action. Focused on England, the study identifies priority areas for research to inform local decision making.MethodsFirstly, potential priority areas for research were identified from a brief review of UK policy documents, and feedback invited from public and policy stakeholders. This included a survey of Directors of Public Health (DsPH) in England, the local government officers responsible for public health. Secondly, rapid reviews of research evidence examined whether there was UK evidence relating to the priorities identified in the survey.ResultsThe brief policy review pointed to the importance of evidence in two broad areas: (i) community engagement in local level action on the health impacts of climate change and (ii) the economic (cost) implications of such action. The DsPH survey (n = 57) confirmed these priorities. With respect to community engagement, public understanding of climate change’s health impacts and the public acceptability of local climate actions were identified as key evidence gaps. With respect to economic implications, the gaps related to evidence on the health and non-health-related costs and benefits of climate action and the short, medium and longer-term budgetary implications of such action, particularly with respect to investments in the built environment. Across both areas, the need for evidence relating to impacts across income groups was highlighted, a point also emphasised by the public involvement panel. The rapid reviews confirmed these evidence gaps (relating to public understanding, public acceptability, economic evaluation and social inequalities). In addition, public and policy stakeholders pointed to other barriers to action, including financial pressures, noting that better evidence is insufficient to enable effective local action.ConclusionsThere is limited evidence to inform health-centred local action on climate change. More evidence is required on public perspectives on, and the economic dimensions of, local climate action. Investment in locally focused research is urgently needed if local governments are to develop and implement evidence-based policies to protect public health from climate change and maximise the health co-benefits of local action.

The foundations of influencing policy and practice: How risk science discourse shaped government action during COVID-19.

COVID-19 demonstrated the complex manner in which discourses from risk science are manipulated to legitimize government action. We use Foucault's theory of Governmentality to explore how a risk science discourse shaped national and local government action during COVID-19. We theorize how national government policymakers and local government risk managers were objectified by (and subjectified themselves to) risk science models, results, and discourses. From this theoretical position we analyze a dataset, including observations of risk science discourse and 22 qualitative interviews, to understand the challenges that national government policymakers, risk scientists, and local government risk managers faced during COVID-19. Findings from our Foucauldian discourse analysis show how, through power and knowledge, competing discourses emerge in a situation that was disturbed by uncertainty-which created disturbed senders (policymakers and risk scientists) and disturbed receivers (risk managers) of risk science. First, we explore the interaction between risk science and policymakers, including how the disturbed context enabled policymakers to select discourse from risk science to justify their policies. This showed government's sociopolitical leveraging of scientific power and knowledge by positioning itself as being submissive to "follow the science." Second, we discuss how risk managers (1) were objectified by the discourse from policymakers that required them to be obedient to risk science, and paradoxically (2) used the disturbed context to justify resisting government objectification through their human agency to subjectify themselves and take action. Using these concepts, we explore the foundation of risk science influence in COVID-19.

Navigating collaborative governance in Florida: An analysis of local governments resilience amidst the COVID‐19 pandemic

This study investigates the effectiveness of collaborative governance in the context of state and local government responses to the COVID‐19 pandemic in Florida. Our analysis uncovers how local authorities have successfully adapted to implement policies to increase resilience and address the crisis, despite facing challenges, constraints, and limitations. Our findings underscore the significance of considering unique local characteristics when addressing pandemics and shed light on the potential influences of state‐level actors on Home Rule. Notably, research examining the interplay between state decisions and Home Rule during a pandemic is scarce. We utilize Florida as a case study to examine local government responses to COVID‐19, employing a qualitative analysis of data from webinars hosted by the Florida League of Cities and media reports on local government actions. To substantiate our findings and encourage further research, we apply the collaborative governance framework in the context of local government administrative responsibilities.