1st Edition

Basic Services for All in an Urbanizing World

Edited By United Cities and Local Governments Copyright 2014
    326 Pages
    by Routledge

    326 Pages
    by Routledge

    UCLG’s Third Global Report on Local Democracy and Decentralization (GOLD III) examines basic service provision and the current state-of-play of the local governance of basic services around the world.

    Basic Services for All in an Urbanizing World examines the enormous challenge of ensuring the universal provision of basic services in a world that is being shaped by rapid global urbanization, climate change, and economic, social and technological transformation. The world’s urban population is predicted to reach 5 billion people within the next 20-30 years. The report analyses the conditions necessary for local governments to provide these new urban residents with quality basic services. Water, sanitation, waste management, transport and energy are essential, not only for the preservation of human life and dignity, but also in driving economic growth and ensuring social equality. Each chapter examines a world region, drawing on existing research and consultation with local authorities on the ground. The chapters review access levels, legal and institutional frameworks, and the different ways in which basic services are managed and financed, as well as showcasing diverse examples of innovation in the local and multi-level governance of services. It concludes with a set of recommendations for all stakeholders with a view to making the goal of basic services for all a reality.

    This report contributes to discussions on the Millennium Development Goals and the UN Post-2015 Development Agenda. The findings of GOLD III will also be essential to promoting the vision of local governments at the 2016 UN Conference on Human Settlements (Habitat III).

    Foreword  1. Introduction David Satterthwaite   2. Africa  Susan Bannister and Michael Sutcliffe  3. Asia Pacific  Aprodico A. Laquian  4. Eurasia  Sergey Sivaev  5. Europe Pierre Bauby and Mihaela M. Similie  6. Latin America Sergio Galilea Ocón  7. Middle East and West Asia Mona Serageldin  8. North America Christian Hoene, Andrew Sancton and Darrene L. Hackler  9. Conclusions David Satterthwaite  Appendix 1: Financing  Appendix 2: Metropolis

    Biography

    United Cities and Local Governments (UCLG) represents and defends the interests of local governments on the world stage, regardless of the size of the communities they serve. Headquartered in Barcelona, Spain, the organization’s stated mission is: to be the united voice and world advocate of democratic local self-government, promoting its values, objectives and interests through cooperation between local governments and with the wider international community.

    'The Global Observatory of Local Democracy (GOLD) reports of the United Cities and Local Governments (UCLG) have become the best source for comprehensive information about the growth and contributions of local democracy throughout the world. GOLD III is a welcome new addition to this excellent series of reports. Everyone should recognize the vital importance of the continuing work of UCLG GOLD in gathering this data and making it available to scholars and policy-makers.' Roger Myerson, Nobel Laureate in Economics, University of Chicago, USA

    'The provision of quality basic services is one of the great challenges faced by local governments today. This publication gives an important overview of how these services are managed in cities and metropolises in Latin America and the rest of the world, and is well worth reading.' –Cuauhtémoc Cárdenas, Former Head of Government of the Federal District of Mexico

    'Basic Services for All in an Urbanizing World not only identifies the challenges of managing and financing basic services, it also offers solutions. An essential tool for local, national and international policy-makers.' –Jennifer Musisi, Executive Director, Kampala Capital City Authority, Uganda

    'The city of Montevideo, along with Mercociudades, has given feedback on the Latin America chapter of GOLD III. The chapter summarizes the state of the provision of basic services in Latin America, and underlines the vital role of local governments in both basic service management and in the construction of more inclusive, democratic and equal Latin American cities.' –Ana Olivera, Mayor of Montevideo, Uruguay

    'Drawing together new information from around the world, this critical volume sketches the relative progress of state and non-state institutions in urban service provision and also interrogates different models of urban service delivery and finance. Leading practitioners and thought leaders reflect on the challenges that stand in the way of the universal provision of basic services such as water, sanitation, waste management or transport in cities, providing the first authoritative global assessment of urban services.' –Susan Parnell, University of Cape Town, South Africa

    'The combination of cross-sectorial analysis, case studies, and on-the-ground know-how presented in GOLD III’s Basic Services in an Urbanizing World set the publication apart. It is sure to become the international work of reference for information on local basic services for the coming years.' –Kgosi Ramokgopa, Executive Mayor, Tshwane Metropolitan Municipality (Pretoria), South Africa