Local Government Research Articles

Identifying Personality Types of Mayors in Local Government in Bulgaria According to the Myers – Briggs Typology

In this article, we make an attempt to explore and identify the personality types of mayors in Bulgarian local government by applying the Myers-Briggs typology indicator. This article presents part of the results of a more extensive author’s survey of mayors in municipalities and districts across the country. The fieldwork was carried out in the period between June 2022 and September 2023, with responses received from 57 of the mayors. The attention will be directed towards one of the questionnaires applied in this author’s study, which included questions regarding leadership models in Bulgarian municipalities. The methods used to analyze the collected data are descriptive statistics and calculation of an arithmetic mean value. The analysis identifies personality types of Bulgarian mayors and the strengths and weaknesses for each type. The results show that the personality type ‘Executive’ is the most common one among mayors in Bulgarian municipalities. The results provide an opportunity to expand the research and include qualitative methods such as in-depth interviews, focus groups and others, with the aim of examining the specifics of the individual case and linking it to the context of the environment. In addition, in the future, the relationship between personality type, charisma, emotional intelligence and the managerial style of the mayors will be investigated, as a result of which a profile can be built, through which candidates for public positions can be selected. Further research will also look at the relationship between the personality type of the mayor, the financial and economic condition of the municipality and the attracted investments during their mandate term.

The landscape of city‐level GHG emission accounts in Africa

AbstractCities are important actors in the global challenge of tackling climate change. They are not only responsible for the majority of emissions but also highly capable of taking action. An important precondition for effective climate mitigation is a city‐level greenhouse gas emission inventory to guide mitigation action. Yet, most cities in developing countries, in particular African cities, lack that crucial information. This study aims to assess the current state of the development of African cities' emission inventories. A total of 270 inventories from 137 cities across 54 African countries were identified from 15 research articles, 5 reports, and 3 data platforms. We find the lack of standardized protocols results in inventories that are often not comparable, while data scarcity emerged as a common problem. We observe that insufficient engagement from local governments impedes the creation of a data‐rich environment. Additionally, current inventory protocols do not fully address the data limitations faced by African cities, further hindering inventory development. To mitigate these challenges, multi‐agent collaboration is essential to enhance the accounting capabilities of local governments. Developing refined protocols that consider data constraints is necessary. Moreover, advanced technologies may provide opportunities to overcome data bottlenecks.

From Global to Local: Service-Learning in a Comparative Politics Course

Students enrolled in introductory general education courses in Political Science are often uninterested in and unfamiliar with the subject matter and do not see its relevance to their lives. Hoping to overcome these obstacles, I implemented service-learning into my introductory Comparative Politics course. In order to do this, I partnered with local nonprofits and government agencies working on topics relevant to the course content. Students then selected one of these partners to work with throughout the semester. The goal was for them to not only see how the course subject matter might apply in their own lives but specifically how the global issues we learn about in our course apply in our local area. Students were surveyed at the beginning and end of the semester and wrote multiple reflection papers regarding their experiences. They generally reported high levels of satisfaction with the service-learning approach as well as understanding of the importance of civic and community engagement.

Assessing the Potential Impacts of Contaminants on the Water Quality of Lake Victoria: Two Case Studies in Uganda

Nutrients are essential for the growth of aquatic life; however, in excess, they can result in a decline in water quality, posing serious risks to both human and aquatic organisms. Human activities, such as urbanisation, industry, and farming, can increase the amount of nutrients and other elements that reach receiving waterbodies like Lake Victoria in Uganda, which can be problematic at elevated levels. There is therefore a strong need to evaluate recent changes in pollutant concentrations and their potential negative effects. To contribute to this gap and to explore the pollutant changes in Lake Victoria, a series of water chemistry data (phosphate, nitrate, potassium, ammonium, sodium, sulphate, silica and chlorine) was collected between 2016 and 2023 in Uganda’s Napoleon Gulf (NG) and Murchison Bay (MB), primarily by the Ministry of Water and Environment (MWE). These locations were chosen based on their vicinity to expanding urban centres and agriculture, and they are also areas where fishing frequently occurs. The datasets were collected at different water depths (0.5–24 m). Data were analysed with the use of IBM’s Statistical Package for the Social Sciences (SPSS 28.0) software and confirmed the excessive concentrations of pollutants within MB compared to NG. The analysis identified the different nutrient types that exceeded internationally recognised thresholds relating to acceptable water quality during the data collection period. Seasonal variations were observed, during the dry season; nutrient levels, however, in NG showed higher nutrient concentrations during the wet season. The study’s capacity to inform local authorities and policymakers about such potential major sources of pollution is of crucial importance for beginning to address the potential impacts on human health and aquatic life.

Landslide Hazard and Rainfall Threshold Assessment: Incorporating Shallow and Deep-Seated Failure Mechanisms with Physics-Based Models

Landslides pose a significant threat worldwide, leading to numerous fatalities and severe economic losses. The city of Manizales, located in the Colombian Andes, is particularly vulnerable due to its steep topography and permeable volcanic ash-derived soils. This study aims to assess landslide hazards in Manizales by integrating shallow planar and deep-seated circular failure mechanisms using physics-based models (TRIGRS and Scoops3D). By combining hazard zonation maps with rainfall thresholds calibrated through historical data, we provide a refined approach for early warning systems (EWS) in the region. Our results underscore the significance of the landslide hazard maps, which combine shallow planar and deep-seated circular failure scenarios. By categorizing urban areas into high, medium, and low-risk zones, we offer a practical framework for urban planning. Moreover, we developed physics-based rainfall thresholds for early landslide warning, simplifying their application while aiming to enhance regional predictive accuracy. This comprehensive approach equips local authorities with essential tools to mitigate landslide risks, refine hazard zoning, and strengthen early warning systems, promoting safer urban development in the Andean region and beyond, as the physics-based methods used are well-established and implemented globally.

COVID-19 and protection measures adopted in rural amazon communities during the first months of the pandemic.

Motivation for the study. To document the evolution of COVID-19 in rural Amazonian populations, which are still little known. Main findings. COVID-19 spread rapidly through rural communities, initially spreading to mestizo hamlets and later affecting indigenous communities. Rural mortality varied by region and ethnicity. Social distancing was difficult, and travel to receive government vouchers contributed to contagion. Implications. Identifying the factors that contributed to contagion and the barriers to the adoption of protective measures in rural Amazonian populations will help to face future pandemics. To analyze the evolution of COVID-19 in rural populations of Loreto and Ucayali in the early stage of the pandemic. A community-level longitudinal observational study was conducted and based on two rounds of telephone surveys with local authorities of more than 400 indigenous and non-indigenous rural communities in Loreto and Ucayali, in July and August 2020. We collected information on cases and deaths by COVID-19 in their communities, protective measures adopted and if state assistance was received in the early stage of the pandemic. Descriptive statistics allowed us to evaluate the evolution of the pandemic after the initial outbreak and compare the trends of the two regions, as well as between indigenous and non-indigenous populations. In July 2020, COVID-19 had reached 91.5% of the communities, although deaths from COVID-19 were reported in 13.0% of the communities, with rural mortality being higher in Ucayali (0.111%) than in Loreto (0.047%) and in non-indigenous communities. By August, prevalence decreased from 44.0% to 32.0% of communities, but became more frequent in indigenous communities, and those in Ucayali. Traveling to the city to receive state bonuses and difficulties maintaining social distancing contributed to the spread. Our findings show the evolution of COVID-19 in rural communities and point to important areas of attention in future public policies, for the adoption of protective measures and reconsidering strategies for the distribution of assistance in the face of future pandemics. Motivation for the study. To document the evolution of COVID-19 in rural Amazonian populations, which are still little known. Main findings. COVID-19 spread rapidly through rural communities, initially spreading to mestizo hamlets and later affecting indigenous communities. Rural mortality varied by region and ethnicity. Social distancing was difficult, and travel to receive government vouchers contributed to contagion. Implications. Identifying the factors that contributed to contagion and the barriers to the adoption of protective measures in rural Amazonian populations will help to face future pandemics.

Implementing Schwartz Rounds in children's social care: Enablers and barriers

Summary Children's social care services can be a challenging place to work, with staff regularly reporting higher stress levels relative to the general population and other public sector settings. Thus, it is important to provide staff with good support. Previously, we completed a randomised controlled trial (RCT) of Schwartz Rounds (SRs) and reported a series of non-statistically significant differences between intervention and comparison groups. We also undertook a process evaluation, to identify enablers and barriers to the successful implementation of SRs in children's social care. Findings Compared with studies of SRs in healthcare settings, we identified several similar enablers, such as senior management buy-in and effective administrative support, and some similar barriers, such as high workloads and poor publicity. We also identified specific enablers and barriers for social care settings, including the synergy between existing practice models and SRs, the nature of trauma in social care compared with healthcare, and some related to the different nature of organisational and workload pressures. Applications Understanding the differences between SRs in healthcare and social care will be useful for local authorities who may want to support their staff via the provision of SRs. They should also be useful in any future definitive evaluation of SRs for social care by helping to maximise the possibility for a successful implementation.

Evaluation of the challenges bedevilling the effectiveness of local government councils in Nigeria's Fourth Republic: The experience and the way forward

Evaluation of the challenges bedevilling the effectiveness of local government councils in Nigeria's Fourth Republic: The experience and the way forward

Local Planning in Nepal: Understanding Among Local Officials

This study describes local government officials' understanding of planning provisions, particularly annual planning, in Nepal to identify gaps and improve effectiveness. Based on document reviews, interviews, and focus group discussions with officials from five local governments each in Lumbini and Madhesh Provinces and two in Koshi, it reveals significant knowledge gaps, particularly among grassroots officials. The study highlights the need for enhanced training and capacity-building to address these deficiencies, improve decision-making, and support sustainable development. Recommendations include strengthening training programs for both officials and community leaders who can exert pressure on local officials to implement provisions improving information dissemination, and reinforcing accountability mechanisms.

The Effects of Fiscal Rules on Mexico’s Municipalities: Looking at Fiscal Behavior Changes

ABSTRACT This paper evaluates the fiscal effects of the Financial Discipline Law for States and Municipalities (LDFEM, in Spanish) on Mexican local governments. As a public financial management (PFM) reform, the LDFEM is an agency solution that establishes a national fiscal rule to align subnational fiscal behavior and achieve a sustainable fiscal position in all states and municipalities. This paper uses a quasi-experimental research design to explore the effects of complying with the LDFEM on financial conditions–budget balances and debt management. The findings suggest improvements in budget balances and debt costs and no impact on variations in debt obligations.

Neighborhood Disadvantage and Birth Outcomes Among Refugees.

To examine the association between neighborhood socioeconomic disadvantage and birth outcomes among refugee women in Denmark, leveraging a natural experiment. This register-based study included 15 118 infants born to women who arrived in Denmark as refugees during 1986 to 1998, when a dispersal policy was in place that quasirandomly assigned newcomers to neighborhoods with varying degrees of socioeconomic disadvantage. Neighborhood disadvantage was measured using a composite index representing neighborhood-level income, education, unemployment, and welfare assistance. These data were linked to individual-level birth register data. Outcomes included low birth weight, preterm birth, and small-for-gestational-age infants. Associations between neighborhood disadvantage at resettlement and birth outcomes up to 20 years after resettlement were examined using multivariable regressions adjusting for characteristics of the women at resettlement. Each SD of increase in neighborhood disadvantage was associated with an 18% increase in low birth weight risk (0.61 percentage points [pp], 95% confidence interval [CI]: 0.19-1.02), 15% increase in preterm birth risk (0.64 pp, 95% CI: 0.22-1.07), and 7% increase in small-for-gestational-age risk (0.78 pp, 95% CI: 0.01-1.54) 5 years after resettlement. Results did not differ after adjusting for urbanicity and conational density, but associations were attenuated after adjusting for municipality-level fixed effects, suggesting that local government characteristics may partially explain the associations. Resettling in a disadvantaged neighborhood is associated with higher risk of adverse birth outcomes among refugee women. This highlights how policy decisions affecting settlement of refugees can have long-term consequences, including on the health of the next generation.

An Approach for Measuring Spatial Accessibility to Services/Facilities by Urban Community Aged Population

Abstract. Population aging is a global trend and a world-wide challenge to many governments. The high-quality life of the elderly cannot be separated from the support of basic services and facilities. Therefore, it is necessary to conduct analysis and research on the accessibility of urban community services and facilities. It is worth noting that the research in this article is based on master thesis (Bai, 2013). Drawing on the data, methods, and conclusions from the master's thesis, in this paper, an approach is designed for measuring spatial accessibility to services/facilities by a spatially dispersed ageing population in urban areas. The local government area (LGA) of Monash in the Melbourne metropolitan area has been selected the case study area. This study combines GIS-based spatial analytical procedures and two-step floating catchment area (2SFCA) method, in conjunction with mesh block level 2011 population data, service/facility data and transportation network data, to measure and map spatial variations in potential accessibility to services and facilities deemed essential to the aged population. Service facilities considered in the study include bus stops, train stations, bank facilities, shopping centres, post offices, churches, parks, public libraries, community centres, pharmacies, GP clinics and hospitals in Monash LGA. The research results can be used to optimize the spatial planning and layout of public facilities for ageing population.

Exploring the Nexus between Endogenous Development and Local Economic Development: The Experience of Tamale Metropolis in Ghana

This paper explores the relationship between Endogenous Development (ED) and Local Economic Development (LED) in the Tamale Metropolis, Ghana. ED emphasises locally driven initiatives that leverage indigenous knowledge, resources, and cultural practices, while LED focuses on promoting economic growth and sustainability through local-level collaboration. The study examines how ED practices, such as community- based agricultural activities and cooperatives, contribute to local economic growth, job creation, and social cohesion in Tamale. It also identifies key challenges, including weak governance frameworks, socio-cultural barriers, and limited access to finance, which hinder the effective integration of ED into broader LED strategies. Despite these obstacles, opportunities exist to strengthen the synergy between ED and LED through enhanced community participation, capacity building, and public- private partnerships. This paper argues that aligning ED with LED offers a sustainable development model that can address both economic and social challenges in the region. Recommendations for policymakers include improving local governance structures, fostering inclusive development policies, and creating supportive environments for community-driven initiatives. The findings highlight the need for context-sensitive development strategies that empower local communities to take ownership of their development pathways while contributing to sustainable economic growth.

An Analysis of the Spatiotemporal Distribution and Influencing Factors of National Intangible Cultural Heritage along the Grand Canal of China

Intangible cultural heritage (ICH) reflects a region’s history and culture, serving as a significant indicator of regional identity and cohesion. The Grand Canal Basin in China is rich in historical traditions, containing a rich array of ICH resources. Analyzing the spatiotemporal distribution characteristics and influencing factors of ICH within the Grand Canal Basin of China can provide a scientific basis for developing cultural industries and promoting sustainable regional economic growth. This study employed GIS-based spatial analysis methods, including kernel density estimation, the mean nearest neighbor index, and standard deviation ellipse, to investigate the spatiotemporal distribution of 504 national-level ICH items (including extensions) in the Grand Canal Basin of China. The results demonstrate the significant spatial clustering of ICH, with concentrations in high-density regions, particularly at the northern and southern ends of the canal. There is significant regional disparity in the distribution of ICH, with an uneven quantity and structure, predominantly featuring traditional skills and traditional drama categories. The average centroid shift of ICH exhibits a north-to-south oscillatory trajectory. However, overall, it demonstrates a southward-moving trend. This study also underscores the impacts of urbanization, population density, economic development, and transportation infrastructure on ICH distribution. Among these factors, urbanization exerts the strongest influence on the spatial distribution of ICH. The impact of the natural environment is relatively minor; however, it remains a significant element that cannot be overlooked during development. This research offers valuable data and insights for local governments and institutions to formulate evidence-based strategies for the protection and sustainable utilization of ICH resources, promoting sustainable cultural and economic development in the Grand Canal Basin.

Promoting Sustainable Mobility: A Walkability Analysis for School Zone Safety

Promoting sustainable mobility and planning walkable school zones is a pressing priority, as it involves the movement of Vulnerable Road Users (VRUs), such as children aged 5–19, along with adult companions, parents, and school staff or faculty. If these children have a safe walking experience today, they will grow up to become ambassadors of sustainable mobility. In this study, several school zone areas were considered in the capital city of India, Delhi. To conduct a comprehensive walkability analysis, three distinct methods were employed: a stakeholder survey, an evaluation of existing walkable corridors, and a microscopic simulation using the Social Force Model (SFM). The limited focus on school zone safety issues in developing nations presents a case for studying the specific concerns of the school zone pedestrians, aiming to assess the magnitude of the problem, provide design centric solutions, and pick an efficient solution for implementation. The results highlight the parameters influencing pedestrian safety in school zones and their effect on pedestrian attributes. This research work can be replicated for school zone safety assessments across the world. This study will benefit the policymakers, urban planners, local government agencies, and traffic management professionals by assisting them in evaluating the walkability of school zones and promoting sustainable mobility choices.

Stakeholder influence, local revenue mobilisation and service delivery in district local governments: evidence from districts in Northern Uganda

Stakeholder influence, local revenue mobilisation and service delivery in district local governments: evidence from districts in Northern Uganda

Using Improved Two-Source Capture-Recapture Methods In Settling Disputed Election Results

Introduction of new technology to check rigging and manipulation of election results by the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) raised hopes and dreams of many Nigerians, especially the new electorates, that the 2023 general election in Nigeria would be free and fair. Cross-checking INEC declared election results using this recapture model is supposed go beyond questionnaires. Sampling technique to select polling units where re-run election is to take place is necessary. They have been issues of vote suppression, rigging, manipulation or intimation in those areas would have largely been reduced. The new estimator has shown that there were no serious cases of vote suppression, manipulation or intimation by any political party, as far as this Local Government Area is concerned. If there were vote suppression, it is only about 1.78% which is negligible. Using simulated data, we found that efficient recapture model (Me) provides better and more reliable estimate than the conventional models.

Ethnicity: A Trojan Horse for the Perpetuation of Armed Civil Conflicts in Africa

Abstract Purpose: The prevalence of armed conflicts in Africa seems commonplace, with little possibility to their end. This study aims to challenge a narrative that seem to consider ethnicity, or ethnic differences as the main causes of armed civil conflicts in Africa. This study argues that while ethnicity might play a role in conflict formation, ethnicity is simply a Trojan horse that is impishly presented as the main cause of armed conflicts in Africa. Design/Methodology: Data were collected from both primary and secondary sources. To evaluate the ethnicity vs. conflict nexus more conscientiously, this study provided two case examples: Ethiopia and Kenya, each providing distinct political trajectories. Findings: The study finds that ethnicity is not the main cause of armed conflicts in Africa; rather, the main causal factors are embedded in bad governance practices by political elites and their cronies. Notable is the practice of politics of power grab and marginalisation of certain groups to achieve Machiavellian ends. The additional causal factor is tied to external imperial exploitative motives of looting Africa’s natural resources, often using African puppets, bagmen and traitors of their own homeland. Thus, a combination of bad local governance practices and external economic interests is mainly what has led to a surge in armed civil conflicts in Africa. Originality/Value: The novelty of this study is that it challenges conventional political standpoints on the causes of ethnic-related conflicts and the solutions needed to end/reduce them. The study has achieved this by pushing the cloak of appreciating the scope and scale of Africa’s armed conflicts by advancing the argument that conflict management solutions lie inward rather than outward through the utilisation of local or homegrown conflict resolution mechanisms. Such local mechanisms must focus on addressing bad governance practices. The current penchant of relying on international or foreign mediatory systems as solutions is done merely at the behest of global politicking and, as such, only provides cosmetic solutions, hence themselves responsible for those protracted ethnic-related conflicts.

The adoption and implementation of local government planning policy to manage hot food takeaways near schools in England: A qualitative process evaluation

IntroductionAccess to hot food takeaways, particularly near schools, is of growing concern for policymakers seeking to reduce childhood obesity globally. In England, United Kingdom (UK), local government jurisdictions are implementing planning policies to reduce access by restricting or denying planning permission for new takeaway outlets near schools. We used a qualitative approach to explore local government officers’ perspectives on the barriers to and facilitators of the adoption, implementation, and perceived effectiveness of these policies. MethodsIn 2021–2022, we conducted semi-structured interviews with 29 local planning (‘planners’) and public health government officers from 15 different local authorities across England who adopted a policy to restrict new takeaways. Data were analysed thematically. ResultsParticipants explained that they mostly thought the policies facilitated the refusal of applications for new takeaways near schools. However, participants speculated that businesses identified alternative opportunities to operate including functioning as ‘restaurants’ or within other locations. Effective working relationships between planners and public health officers were important for adoption and implementation, although planning and public health agendas did not always align and there were tensions between economic development and health improvement goals. The policy was adapted to suit local needs and priorities; in some cases, the policy was not used in areas where economic growth was prioritised. Clarity in policy wording and establishing a formal process for implementing policies including a designated individual responsible for checking and reviewing takeaway applications helped ensure consistency and confidence in policy implementation. ConclusionAlthough sometimes challenging, the policies were commonly described as feasible to implement. However, they may not completely prevent new takeaways opening, particularly where takeaways are relied upon to enhance local economies or where takeaway businesses find alternative ways to operate. Nevertheless, the policies can serve to shift the balance of power that currently favours commercial interests over public health priorities.

The Role of ward Police staff in Enhancing Rural Human Security: Evidence from Moshi District Council

Rural districts in Tanzania face significant challenges in maintaining human security, with crime rates often exacerbated by limited law enforcement resources and community disengagement. This study addresses the critical role of Ward Police Staff (WPS) in mitigating these issues, focusing on their impact within the Moshi District Council. The primary aim is to examine the role of Ward Police Staff in Moshi District Council, Tanzania. A pragmatic research philosophy was adopted, allowing for the use of both quantitative and qualitative methods to gain a comprehensive understanding of the complex dynamics involved. Moshi District was selected for this study due to its unique human security challenges, including a higher crime rate compared to neighboring districts, making it an ideal case for exploring the effectiveness of community-police collaboration. The research involved 188 participants, including Ward Executive Officers (WEOs), victims, and community members, and data were collected through questionnaires, interviews, group discussions, and documentary reviews. A concurrent triangulation nested explanatory research design was employed, with quantitative data analyzed using SPSS software 26 version and qualitative data subjected to thematic analysis. The findings reveal the critical role of WPS in fostering community engagement and promoting security. The study provides valuable insights for policymakers and local authorities in developing strategies to enhance human security in similar rural contexts. Recommendations include strengthening community engagement, customizing security initiatives, and providing continuous training for WPS to adapt to community needs effectively.