TOPIC 11

GOOD GOVERNANCE AND SUSTAINABILITY

OVERVIEW

• Context – setting : The Changing World and the Need for Good Governance

Scenario of rapid urban expansion and development : New challenges of the 21st

century

• Increasing population awareness

• Urbanization process

• Globalization and its implications and influences

WHAT IS GOVERNANCE?

Governance refers to "all processes of governing, whether undertaken by a

government, market or network, whether over a family, tribe, formal or informal organization or

territory and whether through laws, norms, power or language."

WHAT IS GOOD GOVERNANCE?• Good governance is about the processes for making and implementing

decisions.

• It’s not about making ‘correct’ decisions, but about the best possible process for making those decisions.

• Good decision-making processes, and therefore good governance, share several characteristics.

• All have a positive effect on various aspects of local government including consultation policies and practices, meeting procedures, service quality protocols, councillor and officer conduct, role clarification and good working relationships.

WHAT ARE THE MAIN CHARACTERISTICS OF GOOD GOVERNANCE?

• Good governance is accountable

– Accountability is a fundamental requirement of good governance. Local government has an obligation to report, explain and be answerable for the consequences of decisions it has made on behalf of the community it represents.

LONDON, 2012Controversial: Homeowners will be allowed to extend their garages without asking their local councils for permission under new government plans

The proposals would also allow shops and professional services to extend their facilities without first seeking the permission of their local authority.A number of councils have already expressed concern with the proposals, with some suggesting the relaxation of controls would lead to an increase in disputes.

Speaking to the Daily Telegraph, Ravi Govindia, the leader of Wandsworth council, said: 'In many cases a six to eight-metre home extension would have a serious impact on neighbouring properties and should not be permitted.

• Good governance is transparent

– People should be able to follow and understand the decision-making process. This means that they will be able to clearly see how and why a decision was made – what information, advice and consultation council considered, and which legislative requirements (when relevant) council followed.

KELANTAN, 2014New Kelantan dress code: Women working in places like markets, food outlets must wear tudung

Kelantan authorities have started another controversy with a warning that they will enforce an Islamic dress code on those in business. Local authorities have initiated Operasi Gempur Aurat (Operation Aurat Attack), imposing a maximum fine of RM500 (S$195) on women traders and workers who do not cover their hair and wear tight outfits.

• Good governance follows the rule of law

– This means that decisions are consistent with relevant legislation or common law and are within the powers of council.

PARIS, 2011Full-face veils outlawed as France spells out controversial niqab ban

Veils that cover the face to be illegal from next month, with President Sarkozy accused of trying to win far-right votes

• Good governance is responsive

– Local government should always try to serve the needs of the entire community while balancing competing interests in a timely, appropriate and responsive manner.

PARIS, 2014Controversial French dam halted after protester death

Local French authorities Friday decided to suspend work on a controversial dam after the death last week of an activist protesting against the project that sparked uproar in the country.

The executive council in charge of the project in the southwestern Tarn region decided to freeze work on the dam but did not definitively scrap it.

• Good governance is equitable and inclusive

– A community’s wellbeing results from all of its members feeling their interests have been considered by council in the decision-making process. This means that all groups, particularly the most vulnerable, should have opportunities to participate in the process.

INDIA, 2014Indian forest villagers rise up to halt UK firm's bid to clear land for miningBritish firm Essar Energy's plans for open cast mine in Mahan forest plans could destroy villages and 5m trees.

Children collect flowers in the Mahan forest, which is threatened by a coalmining project run by the British-registered company Essar.

India's new government faces a crucial test of its support for big business over plans to let a British-registered energy company cut down a tract of forest to make way for an open cast coalmine.

• Good governance is effective and efficient

– Local government should implement decisions and follow processes that make the best use of the available people, resources and time to ensure the best possible results for their community.

JAPAN, 2014Japanese Government to consider overturning controversial ban on dancing

Japan's Government is considering relaxing a law that forbids late-night dancing in public establishments.

Dancing at public venues is technically illegal in Japan and is only permitted until midnight in clubs with a special licence

• Good governance is participatory

– Anyone affected by or interested in a decision should have the opportunity to participate in the process for making that decision. This can happen in several ways – community members may be provided with information, asked for their opinion, given the opportunity to make recommendations or, in some cases, be part of the actual decision-making process.

BEIJING, 2012Plans for Shifang city plant were halted after violent protests by residents concerned at

environmental impact of scheme

Thousands of local residents gathered in front of the city government building and in a public square on Sunday, concerned over the copper project's environmental and public health risks. Many were high school and college students.

The protest turned violent when riot police moved in on Monday. Police used teargas, stun grenades and batons to disperse crowds. Several dozen people were injured, and police took away 27 demonstrators. The use of force stoked fresh anger from residents, who also demanded the release of those detained.

Authorities have since scrapped plans for the project and promised the plant will not be built.Shifang was hit by a earthquake in 2008 that killed nearly 70,000 people and left more than 18,000 missing. City officials said the copper plant project was needed to help Shifang rebuild its economy.

ANY GOVERNMENT WHICH HAS THE ABOVE CHARACTERISTICS CAN BE CONSIDERED AS

PRACTICING GOOD GOVERNANCE.

What is Good Governance?

• Good Governance is among other things, participatory, transparent and accountable.

• It is also effective and equitable and it promotes the Rule of Law.

• Good governance ensures that political, social and economic priorities are based on broad consensus in society and that the voice of the poorest and the most vulnerable are heard in decision making over the allocation of development processes.

Conclusion

• Local governance must change to keep pace with development and time

• Local authority must be at par with others with the advancement of technology, local bureaucrats could not longer hide behind red tapes for the inefficiency and inability to deliver a certain standard of services to the people.