Revisiting Good Governance in Urban Africa: Implications of (De)centralisation, (Re)centralisation, or Hybrid Governance on Service Delivery
Convenors: Simbarashe Chereni (Delft University of Technology), James Chakwizira (University of Venda)
Discussant: Innocent Chirisa (University of Zimbabwe/Zimbabwe Ezekiel Guti University)
Track: Alternative Futures
Keywords: 'Good Governance', African Urban Context, Service Delivery, (Re)arrangements, Alternative Futures
Friday October 25, 13:45–15:15, A2, John Moffat Building
SESSION 30
REVISITING GOOD GOVERNANCE IN URBAN AFRICA: IMPLICATIONS OF (DE)CENTRALISATION, (RE)CENTRALISATION, OR HYBRID GOVERNANCE ON SERVICE DELIVERY
'Good governance principles' are linked with good service delivery in and by both central and local governments. However, in practice, contextual factors (re)shape how inadequate/inefficient service delivery plays out across different geographic scales and government spheres/levels and sectors. Evidence-based research on policy governance gaps/cracks involving differentiated political actor roles, structures, funding, steering mechanisms and options, and nuanced service delivery impacts exist but is inadequate. Further dialogues and conversations in advancing, (re)imagining, (re)imaging alternative futures for achieving and sustaining good urban governance are needed. In Africa, vertically and horizontally divided authority related to party politics hampers service delivery. To minimise the associated negative service delivery products, impacts and outcomes, many governments have rearranged urban administrative structures, relationships, and processes. In some contexts, community groups contribute towards reducing the service delivery deficits and gaps. In this session, delegates will use (cross)sector cases in urban African municipalities to critically discuss the following questions:
- Which contextual factors are (in)compatible with the raw adoption of 'good governance' principles and why?
- Which governance strategies/tools have been implemented to counter the related negative service delivery products, impacts and outcomes of power struggles and decision making?
- Which (de)centralisation changes and shifts in gains or losses by the main urban political actors have been observed as a result?
- What alternative governance futures, transformative practices, scenarios, and methodologies are plausible?
- How and what steering mechanisms and levers can be used in advancing the possible good governance alternatives for enhanced service delivery products, impacts and outcomes?
Presentations
Urban Decay and Regeneration Strategies in Small Towns: A Case Study of Thohoyandou, South Africa
Evidence of urban decay in small South African towns is on the increase over the years. Small towns face a myriad of challenges attributable to historic apartheid planning, and are distressed and underperforming despite having urban regeneration strategies in place. Small towns are faced with urban decay. This complexity is exacerbated by the vulnerability to Covid-19 pandemic stress, apart from locational disadvantages. This paper proposes workable regeneration strategies in small towns using Thohoyandou Town CBD as a case study. This case study applied a mixed method research approach. A total of 202 questionnaires were administered, and complemented by 3 key informant interviews. The data were analysed using the SPSS computer program, thematic analysis, and descriptive statistics. The study unravelled the obstacles that impede the implementation of urban regeneration strategies in small towns; and recommends a framework to strengthen the implementation of urban regeneration strategies in these small towns.
Ghana's decentralization and service delivery: Is the die cast?
Ghana started implementing its current form of decentralization in 1988. Under this programme, substantial powers and responsibilities were transferred from central to local governments. More than three decades later, the results are mixed. The paper examines the implications of this process on municipal service delivery in secondary cities in Ghana.
Rethinking community development strategies and tools in Zambian cities
This paper examines the operationalization gaps and the roles and relationships of stakeholders in the distribution, selection, and execution of Zambia's highly promising Community Development Fund (CDF). A lack of coordinated governance and actors’ long-term engagement alongside a contradictory legal framework leads to problems translating infrastructural ‘proposals’ to socio-economically impactful projects.
Spatial planning constraints in historically marginalised areas: An Integrative Review
Historically marginalized areas experienced systemic disadvantages over time due to various factors. A systematic approach informed by the guidelines of the Preferred Reporting Items for Systematic Reviews and Meta-Analyses’’ (PRISMA) was adapted to unpack spatial planning constraints that hamper the planning of historically marginalized areas. The findings underscore the need for targeted spatial planning implementation frameworks tailored to address the constraints faced by historically marginalized regions.
The role of technology in spatial planning to reduce fire disaster risks in informal settlements in Mopani District Municipality, South Africa
As the world rapidly urbanises, there is a proliferation of fire disasters, especially in informal settlements around cities in the world including in South Africa. This is attributed to various socio-economic factors and inadequate infrastructure. By embracing technology in spatial planning as one of the governance strategy, Mopani District can significantly mitigate fire risks and improve safety in informal settlements.
