Good Urban Governance Research Articles

Exploring sustainable urban governance: Evolving dynamics, transitions, and ambiguities

ABSTRACT In the context of rapid urbanization and urban sprawl, growing concerns about sustainability in urban governance have come to the forefront. The study employed exploratory bibliometric analysis to examine the literature on sustainable urban governance and critically investigate how sustainability is complexly woven into urban governance as a multidimensional phenomenon. The paper addresses the existing literature gaps, including contextual challenges and inadequate theoretical-methodological underpinnings, by analyzing 2,194 scholarly outputs. We propose a “sustainable urban governance framework” that rationalizes contextual justifications (at the macro-meso-micro and interlevel) by synthesizing the concept of good urban governance, interlinks of sustainability dimensions, and multilevel governance systems. Sustainable urban governance is defined in this study as a process and system that creates harmonious coexistence among urban settings’ ecological and social strata through integrating rationalized contextual justifications, collective sustainability objectives, and inclusive urban resilience plans.

Good Governance, Resilience, and Sustainable Development: A Combined Analysis of USA Metropolises’ Strategies through the Lens of the 100 RC Network

Intense urbanization creates large cities that are functionally and administratively dependent on the surrounding regions and cities. As the boundaries of cities expand, so do the chronic stresses and sudden shocks they face. To reduce the impact of these threats and increase the safety and well-being of residents, metropolises must become more resilient and sustainable. Governance emerges as a critical element in achieving the resilience and sustainable development of metropolises. It is said that “good urban governance and sustainable development are closely linked”. This paper examines governance in the context of the 100 Resilient Cities network program and tries to diagnose the role that good governance plays at a metropolitan scale in achieving urban resilience and sustainable development using the 100 RC network’s metropolitan US cities as a case study. It adopts a combined methodology, and its critical documents are (a) The City Resilience Framework and (b) the strategic study of metropolises. This article aspires to contribute to a better understanding of the relationship between urban governance, urban resilience, and sustainable development, and highlights good urban governance as an important tool for the effective management of chronic pressures and risks in cities.

The Effects of Good Urban Governance in Achieving Resilience of Informal Settlements in Zanjan City, Iran

The growth of urbanization created new challenges for local governments to match UN sustainable goals such as being resilient and inclusive. These goals are most unlikely in informal settlements characterized by vulnerability and rejection. This study investigates the relationship between good urban governance and the resilience of informal settlements in Zanjan City, Iran, using criteria such as participation, equity, effectiveness, accountability and security as independent variables. The data were analyzed using SPSS statistical software. Pearson correlation test and multivariate regression analysis were used to analyze the effect of the independent variable on the resilience of informal settlements in Zanjan. The results showed that all variables have a significant relationship with the dependent variable. The results of multivariate regression analysis indicated that the three variables of participation, effectiveness and accountability had a significant effect. However, the other two variables, equity and security, had a less significant effect on resilience. Five indicators of the Urban Governance Index can be used as a guiding tool for managing informal settlements.

Framework for Effective Urban Development Partnership in Affordable Housing in Egypt

The government’s vision is oriented towards reforming the urban map and increasing the urban communities’ ability to face current and future urban development challenges. However, it is becoming increasingly aware that it cannot achieve this by acting alone. This in turn poses an important question about good urban governance, and appropriate management mechanisms that may enable the achievement of the strategic goals. In this context, the government adopted a “National Housing Strategy”, which aims to transfer the current situation of the housing sector in Egypt and encourage the private sector to provide more diversity of patterns of holdings in this sector. However, to what extent the government can develop this approach into an effective public–private partnership framework that ensures a strong private sector response in the delivery of affordable housing is still unclear. Accordingly, this research aims to develop a conceptual framework to guide decision-makers on how the state can apply urban development partnership as an integrated approach to better development of affordable housing in Egypt.

Evaluation of good urban governance in Iran - case study: Neishabour city

Evaluation of good urban governance in Iran - case study: Neishabour city

How to satisfy dissatisfied citizens with urban public services? The case from Nanjing, China

ABSTRACT Reducing citizen dissatisfaction with public services is a challenge for good urban governance. Using the case of Public Opinion 110 by Nanjing police, this article finds a new method to proactively, accurately, and timely measure citizen satisfaction and improve inadequate services. The findings confirm the importance of efficient two-way communication, the citizen-centered approach, and the combined use of technologies in improving citizen satisfaction. This article provides a feasible solution for urban governments facing the dilemma of citizen dissatisfaction with public services.

Evaluation of the Normative Framework of Strategic Planning for the Realization of Good Urban Governance in Tehran's 22 District

Evaluation of the Normative Framework of Strategic Planning for the Realization of Good Urban Governance in Tehran's 22 District

Practice and challenge of urban land governance: an empirical study in Tigrai, East Africa

The purpose of the study was to assess the practices and challenges of urban land governance in the Tigrai Region. This study employed a concurrent nested design. Data were collected from 177 officeholders and customers through questionnaires. Besides, interviews were conducted with purposefully selected officeholders. The results of the data analysis were presented using mean, standard deviation, Pearson correlation, and logistic regression to see the relationship between the independent variables and the dependent variable. The major findings showed that the elements of good urban governance (participation, responsiveness, accountability, transparency, equity, and efficiency and effectiveness) are not practiced appropriately. The major challenges in good urban land governance are lack of resources, commitment, human resources, clear rules and regulations, modern service delivery, materials, budget, and rent-seeking behavior. As a result, citizens are not satisfied with the urban land governance system and implementation process. Thus, the government should reconsider strengthening urban land institutions.

Towards cultural sustainability in creative cities: what George Town, Malaysia can learn from Kanazawa, Japan?

The sustainable development discourse is currently at a crossroads where focus of its meaning and dimensions for holistic and real development have to be revisited. It has to be more inclusive and all-encompassing to also include culture. This study examines cultural sustainability in culture-led creative cities like George Town and Kanazawa. Though both cities purportedly leverage on culture, but the Kanazawa exemplar has proven to be a more successful model. Through qualitative approaches, this study investigated the George Town context vis-à-vis Kanazawa. Findings suggest that the development and theoretical discourse in George Town should formally include culture. It should be incorporated into George Town’s development plans and be part of the agenda for good urban planning and governance to ensure cultural diversity and sustainability.

Bruhat Bengaluru Mahanagara Palike and the Issues of Urban Governance

The entire developing world is witness to an unprecedented shift of human settlement to the cities. While India’s population remains substantially rural, it is emerging as one of the fastest urbanizing countries in the world and has already a staggering large urban population of around 285 million. The economic base of the nation through expanding industries, trade, commerce and services has already shifted to urban centers. Cities have strongly emerged as the prime engines of Indian economy and generators of national wealth. Even though the level of urbanization is relatively low in India, the contribution of urban economy to national economic structure is significantly high. It is realized that handling of urban development is a very delicate issue and has to be strategically operated. Thus, it can be seen that urban India is facing a challenge. Cities must cope with great numbers of people, plan to provide them services, find resources to meet needs of maintaining infrastructure, respond to urbanization and poverty. Solving these complex problems is the goal of good urban governance. It envisages improving the quality of life in cities through improved local governance by reinventing the city as an inclusive city. Such a city provides space and voice to its stakeholders through inclusive decision-making, since decision-making is the heart of urban governance.

Institutional barriers to achieving good urban governance as a social determinant of health

Background: Most of the factors that affect the community health are out of health sector. The aim of this study was to investigate institutional barriers to achieving good urban governance as a social determinant of health. Methods: The present study was a descriptive-correlational in terms of nature and survey in terms of method. The statistical population of the study included employees of Isfahan Municipality in Isfahan (n=15085). Based on Krejcie and Morgan table, the sample size was estimated at 376 people. They were selected using stratified random sampling method proportional to sample size. To collect data, researcher-made 41 items questionnaire was used on the barriers to achieve good urban governance. Cronbach's alpha coefficient was calculated as higher than 0.7. Data analysis was performed using structural equation modeling in AMOS-23 software. Results: The results showed that the effect of physical/spatial, social fragmentation and functional barriers on good urban governance was also significant. Also, the effect of barrier variables in the theoretical area of planning and management, functional barriers in the system of urban administration and management and political-planning barriers on good urban governance was significant. Negative path coefficients indicated that these structures had an inverse effect on good urban governance. Conclusion: A total number of six barriers were recognized that the government and municipalities can consider them in policy-making to achieve good urban governance and provide the conditions for development and expansion of cities according to urban standards This could be led to better situation in social determinants of health and higher level of health in community level.

Understanding future urban growth, urban resilience and sustainable development of small cities using prediction-adaptation-resilience (PAR) approach

Rapid urban proliferation is an indispensable and reciprocal issue in contemporary urban planning and development. This study envisages the prediction-adaptation-resilience (PAR) approach to analyze the future urban landscape resilience and sustainable development goals (SDGs). We have selected a small, unplanned growing up city, namely, Krishnanagar urban agglomeration (KUA), in India, to apply the PAR approach. Therefore, land use land cover map has been prepared for 2000, 2010, and 2020. The result shows the built-up area has been increased most in past 20 years, from 6.36 km2 to 13.23 km2. Then, the cellular automata-Markov chain model is applied to predict the future potential urban development surface for 2030 and 2040. The receiver operating characteristic (ROC) curve shows 83.6% success rate between the predicted and actual map of CA-Markov. The prediction map of 2030 and 2040 shows that the built-up area continuously expands (13.23 km2 to 16.52 km2) towards KUA's surrounding regions. Consequently, other decreasing land classes will be a threat to SDGs and urban resilience. So, people of KUA are adopting the changing hostile nature of urbanisation and urban vulnerability. Hence, this study will help the local administration to make a proper urban planning and adaptation strategies by maintaining good urban governance to achieve 8 SDGs of UN's 2030 Agenda in future.

The Impact of Social Capital, Information and Communication Technology Development, and Globalization on Good Urban Governance Based on the Participation Culture and Local Authorities’ Inclination Approach.

The Impact of Social Capital, Information and Communication Technology Development, and Globalization on Good Urban Governance Based on the Participation Culture and Local Authorities’ Inclination Approach.

Social Capital, Innovation, and Local Resilience

This paper is based on research that centres on the city of Tokyo, a mature city that is experiencing various transformations, in order to show how social capital and innovation can help build up resilient communities. It presents two major topics: 1) the potential of localities and their social capital and social innovation to actively react to change, and 2) the role of localities for inclusive urban governance. By focusing on five small neighbourhoods in the south of Taito-ward in central-east Tokyo, the paper addresses the following questions: a) what kinds of social networks and interaction exist at the local level, b) how are residents contributing to neighbourhood revitalization and community identity, and c) what are specific examples of social innovative practices, emerging in periods of crisis, in the case-study area as a direct response to the COVID-19 pandemic? By adopting a mixed methods approach drawing especially on in-depth interviews conducted with a range of independent business owners, the study reveals the dynamics between long-term residents and newcomers as they negotiate shared identities that continue to shape the present and future of some of Tokyo’s oldest neighbourhoods. The research findings highlight the need for good urban governance to draw on an improved understanding of the potential of localities, place-based social capital building, and new social practices that are emerging in local third sectors, such as volunteer-run industry-based organizations, which are vital in maintaining informal networks as an alternative to more traditional neighbourhood groups to bond, bridge, and link diverse community members.

A futures study into identifying the driving forces in neighborhood-based management using good urban governance, the case of Region 2 in Tabriz, Iran

A futures study into identifying the driving forces in neighborhood-based management using good urban governance, the case of Region 2 in Tabriz, Iran

COMMUNITY ACTION PLAN (CAP) DALAM PENATAAN KAWASAN KUMUH DARI PERSPEKTIF GOOD URBAN GOVERNANCE: SEBUAH TINJAUAN LITERATUR

Urban slums is one of the main issues that developing countries discussed nowadays, whether to eliminate slums area or through sustainable development policies and official rental housing policies. One of the method is the CAP method as a way to build a community that could take actions in accordance with problems, needs and potential resources. However, the CAP method requires a good governance because it involves government, citizens, social and private organizations. Through a literature study approach, this research expects to obtain a framework and relevant theory to the implementation of the Community Action Plan (CAP) in the slum area management with the perspective of good urban governance. The analysis results shows that the CAP can be implemented for management of slums area through the stages of preparation, social environmental mapping, and approval of the CAP and a new layout map. However, the implementation must confirm four domains of constrains to assess a good urban governance, such: responsibility, accountability, representation, access, strength, legitimacy and effectiveness. This results in governance that is not only responsive and effective, but also resilient, reliable and balanced.

E-Government Based Urban Governance on the Smart City Program in Makassar, Indonesia

This article discusses about urban governance of Smart City Program in the Makassar City, which is the mainstay program of the Makassar City Government and identifies factors that are driving and inhibiting the realization of Good Urban Governance based on E-Government in Smart City Program. This type of research was qualitative with a descriptive approach. Data collecting was used instrument in the form of observation and documentation then developed from the interviews of informants. The fact in the field indicated that E-Government-based urban governance on Smart City program in the Makassar is seen from the indicators of urban management, namely planning, organizing, implementing and controlling according to the development goals in the Makassar Government's vision and mission.

An Analysis of Sustainable Community Development with Emphasis on Good Urban Governance: The Case of Akhund Neighbourhood, Qazvin

تحقق توسعۀ پایدار شهری در سراسر جهان بیشتر در سطوح محلی قابل­مشاهده است، به طوری که شهرهای پایدار بر پایۀ محلات پایدار ساخته شده­اند. ناپایداری محلات شهری، به منزلۀ سطوح خرد در نظام سازمان فضایی شهر، ناپایداری شهرها را به دنبال داشته است. محلۀ آخوند، واقع در شهر قزوین، یکی از محلات تاریخی باقی­مانده در این شهر است که از دیدگاه کالبدی، اقتصادی، اجتماعی، محیط زیستی، و مدیریتی­ نهادی شرایط نامناسبی در آن جریان دارد. هدف از این تحقیق سنجش وضعیت پایداری محلۀ یادشده بر اساس شاخص­ها و معیارهای توسعۀ پایدار اجتماع محلی و همچنین بررسی نقش و جایگاه حکمروایی شایستۀ شهری در این محله در راستای تحقق توسعۀ پایدار آن است. روش تحقیق مقاله توصیفی از نوع پیمایشی و جمع­آوری داده­ها برای تجزیه­وتحلیل از دو روش کتابخانه­ای­ اسنادی و پیمایش میدانی است. بدین منظور با استفاده از فرمول کوکران تعداد 95 نمونه برای پرسش استخراج گردید. روش نمونه­گیری نیز به صورت خوشه­ای چندمرحله­ای و در هر خوشه بر اساس نمونه­گیری تصادفی ساده صورت پذیرفت. برای آزمون روایی از روش اعتبار محتوایی و برای آزمون پایایی از روش آلفای کرونباخ بهره گرفته شد. برای تجزیه­وتحلیل پرسش­نامه از روش­های آمار توصیفی و استنباطی مبتنی بر آزمون T تک­نمونه­ای استفاده گردید. یافته­های پژوهش گویای آن هستند که محلۀ آخوند با کسب امتیاز 2/24، بر اساس شاخص­های توسعۀ پایدار، محلۀ ناپایداری است. بالاترین امتیاز پایداری در این محله مربوط به بعد اجتماعی­ فرهنگی (2/81) و پایین­ترین امتیاز مربوط به بعد مدیریتی­ نهادی (1/64) است. معیارهای هویت، خوانایی، و تعلق خاطر بالاترین امتیاز و معیار حکمروایی پایین­ترین امتیاز را کسب کرده­اند. در ادامه پس از تبیین نارسایی­های توسعۀ پایدار در محله، به تحلیل نقش و ضرورت حکمروایی شایستۀ شهری در چاره­جویی نارسایی­ها پرداخته و در پایان پیشنهادهایی برای تحقق توسعۀ پایدار در این محله بیان شده است.

Explain the relationship between good urban governance and citizens' satisfaction with municipal performance (Study Sample: Dogonbadan City)

Explain the relationship between good urban governance and citizens' satisfaction with municipal performance (Study Sample: Dogonbadan City)

Towards good governance of urban greening: insights from four initiatives in Melbourne, Australia

ABSTRACT Urban greening can enhance sustainability and liveability, through conserving biodiversity, mitigating urban heat and enhancing people’s health and wellbeing. However, urban greening is complex, as it occurs in unique ecological settings, with social, cultural and economic factors shaping the forms it takes. This raises questions about the governance of urban greening, including what counts as ‘good governance’. In this paper, we first outline principles of good governance drawn from the natural resource management context. We then present four urban greening initiatives from Melbourne Australia representing different scales, land tenures and organising structures. Following this, we analyse how governance of the four initiatives addresses good governance principles. Our analysis shows that there are diverse ways in which urban greening can be practiced and governed. The importance of more ‘informal’ initiatives should not be discounted relative to formalised initiatives, as a spectrum of approaches can be seen as strength. Further, in determining what constitutes good governance, the standards against which initiatives are assessed should be tailored to their specific circumstances, and consider impacts to the environment itself. These findings point to good urban greening governance being both situated and principled.