OM STERLING GLOBAL UNIVERSITY

SCHOOL OF ARCHITECTURE & PLANNING

Master in Urban Planning (M. Plan.)

Semester - 1ST

Subject Name: - Urban Management and Governance

(Subject Code - MTPL-104)

Submitted by:
Name- Manvi Tyagi
Roll No- 211040204004
 AN OVERVIEW OF URBAN GOVERNANCE

Governance is central to urban planning and determines the legal and administrative processes
that underpin development, and the roles of formal and informal actors that shape urban
change.

Urban governance is part of the state list under the Constitution. Thus, the administrative
framework and regulation of ULBs varies across states. Urban governance refers to how
government (local, regional and national) and stakeholders decide how to plan, finance and
manage urban areas. It involves a continuous process of negotiation and contestation over the
allocation of social and material resources and political power. It is, therefore, profoundly
political, influenced by the creation and operation of political institutions, government capacity
to make and implement decisions and the extent to which these decisions recognise and respond
to the interests of the poor. It encompasses a host of economic and social forces, institutions
and relationships. These include labour markets, goods and services; household, kin and social
relationships; and basic infrastructure, land, services and public safety. Large gaps often exist
between poor and better-off urban residents in terms of access to social, economic and political
opportunities (particularly decision-making) and the ability to participate in, and leverage, the
benefits associated with urban living. Urban governance:

 plays a critical role in shaping the physical and social character of urban regions;
 influences the quantity and quality of local services and efficiency of delivery;
 determines the sharing of costs and distribution of resources among different groups;
and
 affects residents’ ability to access local government and engage in decision-making,
influencing local government accountability and responsiveness to citizen demands.

Urban governance involves a range of actors and institutions; the relationships among them
determine what happens in the city. In managing urban transformations, government (at all
levels) need to play a strategic role in forging partnerships with and among key stakeholders.

While city government is the largest and most visible urban governance actor, much of what
affects the life chances of the urban poor lies outside the control of city administrations. Instead,
it is the market and private businesses, agencies of the central state or the collective voluntary
action of civil society that determine the daily experiences of urban dwellers.

Many actors and institutions influence urban development outcomes. Broadly, these include:
local, regional and national agencies of government; civil society, including non-governmental
organisations (NGOs), community-based organisations (CBOs), social movements, trade
unions, political parties, religious groups, and the private sector. The distribution of powers
between various actors is crucial to urban development.

Figure: Actors and institutions of urban governance

UNDP argues that three attributes are core to effective government capacity:
• institutions with the capacity to deliver public services and design and implement
development;
• adaptability to changing needs or shifting priorities, and
• stability achieved through institutionalising good practices and norms.
Elements that contribute to effective governance include:

 The city-national interface: Effective urban governance depends not only on local
institutions and actors, but also on the framework set by national governments that links
the city and broader regional and national development. However, many contexts
inadequate institutional frameworks have impeded urban governance.
 Municipal capacity: Expanding capacity to plan, manage and finance urban growth is
a fundamental component of effective urban governance. Each tier of government
needs sufficient capacity to ensure that physical and socio-economic planning processes
are well-coordinated, legally enforced, inclusive and cross-sectoral. However, many
municipalities lack the skills, capacity and resources to meet obligations.
 Political systems and institutions: Urban governance is political, influenced by the
creation and operation of political institutions, government capacity to make and
implement decisions and the extent to which these recognize and respond to the needs
of the poor. The most vulnerable are often excluded from, or ignored in, decision-
making processes. There are gaps between poor and better-off residents’ access to
social, economic and political opportunities and in their ability to participate in and
leverage benefits associated with urban living.
The new economic policy of Government of India has changed the role of government from
provider to facilitator. With entry of private sector in service provision and improving
economic profile of Indian economy, urban public (basically but not only) has started
demanding better service provision standards and accountability in the process of governance.
Herein comes the role and concept of ‘Good governance’. It is an evolving concept, concerning
best practices of decision making for conducting public affairs and management of public
resources. Good governance is responsive and responsible governance. It is described as
accountable, transparent, responsive, equitable & inclusive, effective & efficient, follows rule
of law, participatory and consensus oriented.

Figure: Characteristics of Good Governance