Project description

Title: Good Governance in Urban Areas
Commissioned by: Bundesministerium für Wirtschaftliche Zusammenarbeit und Entwicklung (BMZ)
Country: Bangladesh
Lead executing agency: Local Government Engineering Department (LGED)
Overall term: 2007 to 2012

Context

The terms "urbanisation" and "megacities" often draw public attention to Asia and ever more often to Bangladesh, for good reason. A combination of high birth rates and continuing rural-urban drift is giving rise to increasing urbanisation throughout the country. Dhaka, the capital of Bangladesh, has become the most rapidly growing city in the world. In 1950, Dhaka still had a population of only 500,000; but by 2015 its population is predicted to reach 22 million. Pressure on the cities is growing, with tasks of formidable proportions to be overcome. Today more than half of the urban population live below the national poverty line, with slums growing to virtually incalculable dimensions. Within the centralistic government structure, the administrations of urban centres are seldom able to provide even the simplest and most basic services. Mismanagement, often the result of poorly trained employees, results in disaster, especially for the poorest members of the urban population. Sanitary facilities are virtually non-existent, as are waste management and an adequate basic education system. Current trends in urban development indicate that unless drastic, energetic measures are undertaken, these problems will worsen in future.

Objective

Bangladesh's urban population can draw upon a service package that is geared to demand. The living conditions of the urban poor are improving.

Approach

GIZ supports the advisory services and training efforts of the local and national administrations responsible in this area. Together with its partners, GIZ is developing an instruction package that is also intended for use by local decision-makers in urban administrations following the end of promotional measures. In a joint effort, work is being done on supplying basic services to meet the vital needs of the urban poor. Public policies are formulated together with the people themselves, so that good governance is also given a boost. The city administrations thus strengthened are given support, on the one hand, but also have the responsibility of accounting for their actions and achievements.

Results achieved so far

Amongst other things, the participatory procedure is making the decisions of local governments more transparent. It improves the living conditions of the urban poor in a deliberate and focused manner. Democratic (good) governance is strengthened and cemented, thus improving the quality of public administration, particularly in regard to the services provided for the citizens. Government activity thus regains respect and legitimacy in the eyes of the people.