local governance Archive - Urbanet

Africa’s Urban Future Depends on Local Action: Why Strong Local Governments are Key to Achieving the SDGs

Localising SDGs

Africa’s Urban Future Depends on Local Action: Why Strong Local Governments are Key to Achieving the SDGs

By Taibat Lawanson|2026-07-14T09:43:27+02:00July 14th 2026|Resilient Cities and Climate|

The Sustainable Development Goals may be global commitments, but their implementation depends on local action Taibat Lawanson writes. In Africa’s rapidly urbanising cities, empowered local governments are essential to turn the SDGs into tangible improvements in people’s everyday lives – from housing and transport to basic services, resilience and inclusive governance.

Female Leadership in Local Government

WOMEN IN CITIES

Female Leadership in Local Government

By Macoura Dao Coulibaly|2025-05-14T11:23:48+02:00March 7th 2022|Gender and Inequalities, Good Governance|

Half of the world’s population is made up of women, but their representation in decision-making bodies at the local, national, and international level leaves much to be desired. Macoura Dao Coulibaly, Mayor of Foumbolo, Côte d'Ivoire, on strengthening women in local government.

How To Do Digital Government: Experiences From E-Mongolia

DIGITALISATION AND GOVERNANCE

How To Do Digital Government: Experiences From E-Mongolia

By Bolor-Erdene Battsengel|2024-01-04T15:20:02+01:00February 8th 2022|Good Governance|

Almost a year ago, Mongolia launched the e-Mongolia platform to streamline public service delivery. The goals were to reduce bureaucracy, decrease duplication of effort between government organisations, and counter citizens' frustration with inefficient public services. Bolor-Erdene Battsengel on learnings and successes.

The Challenge of Localising SDGs: Experiences from Bangladesh

The Challenge of Localising SDGs: Experiences from Bangladesh

By Redita Rokiba and Dr. Firdaus Ara Hussain|2024-01-04T15:01:58+01:00July 29th 2021|Good Governance|

Translating the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) into practice at the local level remains a significant challenge for many countries. Dr Firdaus Ara Hussain and Redita Rokib on the challenges in Bangladesh – and on a promising model pursued by the Government of Bangladesh to overcome them.

COVID-19 in Cities – Pathways Towards Transformative Urban Recovery

COVID-19 in Cities – Pathways Towards Transformative Urban Recovery

By Anna Walnycki and Alice Sverdlik|2025-02-12T13:02:57+01:00June 8th 2021|Good Governance, Resilient Cities and Climate|

Anna Walnycki and Alice Sverdlik present the new framework co-created by the IIED's Human Settlements Groups and key urban stakeholders.

Local Governance in Nigeria: An Unsettling State of Affairs

Local Governance in Nigeria: An Unsettling State of Affairs

By Idayat Hassan|2024-01-04T13:46:13+01:00September 1st 2020|Finance, Good Governance|

Local governments in Nigeria have financial autonomy – technically. Idayat Hassan, Director of the Centre for Democracy and Development in Abuja, reveals why they are still severely disempowered and what needs to be done to revive them.

Inclusive Policies need Inclusive Policymaking – Participatory Budgeting in Cameroon

Inclusive Policies need Inclusive Policymaking – Participatory Budgeting in Cameroon

By Jules Dumas Nguebou & Achille Noupéou|2024-01-04T13:48:04+01:00August 11th 2020|Good Governance, Integrated Planning|

Participatory Budgeting bridges the gap between governments and their people. Jules Dumas Nguebou and Achille Noupéou uncover what happens when disadvantaged Cameroonians suddenly have a say over city spending.

Bangladesh: In Quest of a Decentralised Local Representative Bodies

Bangladesh: In Quest of a Decentralised Local Representative Bodies

By Mohammad Tarikul Islam|2024-01-04T13:48:41+01:00August 4th 2020|Good Governance|

Are local government bodies in Bangladesh fully empowered? Dr Mohammad Tarikul Islam investigates this question and makes a case for strengthening local leadership through ensuring funds and participation.

COVID-19: How Prepared is Urban India?

COVID-19: How Prepared is Urban India?

By Soumyadip Chattopadhyay, Simi Mehta and Arjun Kumar|2024-01-04T13:30:37+01:00June 24th 2020|Gender and Inequalities, Good Governance|

The current pandemic is a serious challenge for Indian cities. But Soumyadip Chattopadhyay, Simi Mehta and Arjun Kumar argue the outbreak of contagious diseases is less of a natural disaster – and maybe more of a man-made one. Of inequalities, poor infrastructures and the way forward.

An Opportunity to Reshape the World in the Aftermath of the Pandemic – The UCLG Dialogue for the Post-COVID Era

An Opportunity to Reshape the World in the Aftermath of the Pandemic – The UCLG Dialogue for the Post-COVID Era

By Emilia Sáiz|2024-01-04T13:30:52+01:00June 22nd 2020|Good Governance, Integrated Planning|

Acknowledging that the international system needs to change substantially, United Cities and Local Governments Secretary General presents the organisation's political charter for a world after the pandemic.

Setting the Stage for the Next Frontier of the Municipal Movement

Setting the Stage for the Next Frontier of the Municipal Movement

By Emilia Sáiz|2024-01-04T08:38:03+01:00November 7th 2019|Gender and Inequalities, Good Governance|

In the spirit of equality, Durban will be the theatre of the largest gathering and most important triennial event for cities and local and regional governments across the world: the 2019 UCLG World Congress and World Summit of Local and Regional Leaders. Responding to the current main challenges that are facing local or regional governments from around the world, the summit will put equality, and in particular, gender equality, at the heart of its ambitious programme.

Islands of Integrity™: Replicating La Paz’s Successful Anti-corruption Experience

Islands of Integrity™: Replicating La Paz’s Successful Anti-corruption Experience

By Ronald MacLean Abaroa and Ana Vasilache|2024-01-03T16:54:21+01:00August 1st 2019|Good Governance|

How can cities effectively tackle corruption? Through a transformative process that involves those who are part of the problem, argue Ronald MacLean Abaroa and Ana Vasilache, who have developed their own successful anti-corruption methodology.

Transforming Cities for Inclusion

Transforming Cities for Inclusion

By Federico Batista Poitier|2025-05-14T11:22:01+02:00July 16th 2019|Gender and Inequalities, Good Governance|

Inclusion of all citizens is a challenge to rapidly urbanising societies. Federico Batista Poitier outlines how the Global Compact on Inclusive and Accessible Cities is an important tool in this regard, providing local governments with a framework that allows them to measure inclusion in their municipalities.

Municipalities Are Learning Sustainability

Municipalities Are Learning Sustainability

By Robert Böhnke|2024-01-03T16:59:56+01:00July 11th 2019|Good Governance, Sustainable Infrastructure|

Across Germany, municipal governments are increasingly engaged in sustainable development. Thus, they are playing a key role in the implementation of the 2030 Agenda, which will be assessed at the High-level Political Forum 2019. Robert Böhnke from the German Council for Sustainable Development outlines the learning processes that led and lead to municipalities' increased engagement.

COP24: Outcomes Strengthen Multilevel Governance for Raising Ambition

COP24: Outcomes Strengthen Multilevel Governance for Raising Ambition

By Jisun Hwang|2025-06-10T11:04:50+02:00March 28th 2019|Good Governance, Resilient Cities and Climate|

Multilevel governance is essential to the implementation of resilient infrastructure in cities around the world. For our spotlight on urban infrastructure, Jisun Hwang, Senior Climate Advocacy and Policy Officer at ICLEI – Local Governments for Sustainability, sums up what COP24 holds for local governments' resilience strategies.