Baud I.S.A, New Forms of Urban Governance in India

Baud. I.S.A, DeWit, J, (2008) "New forms of Urban Governance in India" Sage Publications India

• Shifts in Urban Governance Raising the questions :  Urbanisation positive in terms of drawing skilled people into local markets, provides concentrations of i nfrastructure. However Mega cities pose difficult questions for local governments in terms of expertise, financial means, and mandates. Other actors that impact are foreign investors, NGO' working in poverty, environment, citizen participation and corruption. Question is how local governments work together with other actors in their localities has gained importance (Pierre and Peters 2000, Stoker 2000). Arguments of governance has focused on two themes - reducing role of state and inc role of market in providing G+S and second the reduction in focus of nationa govt and rise of local and international. More importance to citiens and cocial networks (social capital). Most focused donor agency is UN-Habitat - many are not focused on urban issues. Wideing gaps. Need to asess what factors in governance constrain its development and what impact on large and globalizing cities. The book focuses on the nature of present-day urban governance in mega-cities of india. Focuses on recent shifts resulting from liberalization drive from 1980's as well as the reforms in governance following the 1992 legilsation on urban decrentralization. Investigated whether new fovernance -> more participatory goverance better service delivery, innovative financing and general improvement of poor.
• Question of why the rise of decentralisation? Schuurman (1997) questions 'whether decentralization and local government should be regarded as pars of progressive political project...., or as part of globalised neo-liberal project to disempower progressive elements in sivil society..." Financial and policy making dispersed. Would imagine that would  -> more inclusive decision making and inclusion. Potentially greater transparency. Also better able to co-ordinate with private contractors and NGO's.  Risk is that decentralisation will be reversed with new governments, also that finance not provided also need to have formal framework outlinging rights and obligations at each level of govt. Often shaped by deals between elites. In developing countries issues of mismanagement, corruption, nepotism -> ineffective governance.
• Multi-actor arrangements in public services -  Mathur (1999) defines as new organizational arrangements that embody multi-org comitment to joint action towards collective public policy goals. Key charachteristics - > 2 actors, enduring relationship, beneficial, concerete activites, bargaining involving conflict as well as cooperation. Note multinationals are sometimes prone to use technologies not adapted to local conditions, are expensive and hard to hold accountable. Another perspective is state-community partnerships - focusing on housing and environment iniatiatives. Local govt is then seen as a supporter and coordinator of community initiatives. This approach leaves more roome for NGOs as partners. From this perspective also look at exclusion of less powerful actors such as gener, caste, class, ethicity and generation. Also difficult for some to get time to contribute. Debate taken innto account role of social capital. Need to consider degree of conflict, financial resources, accountability, corruption. Interestingly comprehensive research (p19) showed that government based business like basis was best for service provision.
• The India perspective -  Book looks at two shifts - one is following 74th constitutional amendment in 1992, second on various mmulti-actor arrangement s promoted and implemented to some extent in various cities and their functioning and outcome for the cities.
• 1992 urban decentralization - the ammendment mandate state governments to specify the functions they will delgate to local bodies. Where > 300,000 must set up Wards committes. Quite complex multi-agency governance -> wealth of a city not neccessarily translating to goverance etc. In Mumbai although it is rich has lack of affordable housing, poor infrastructure, congestion and environmental degredation - due to lakc of coordiation in city planing and policy implementation. Nexus between land mafia, builderes, officials and politicians -> illegal activities. Wards have not performed well anywhere . They have little power or impact. Weak planning systems, poor human capacity, and corruption. Role of NGO's in decentralisation is explored in chapter five. There is a clause which allows NGO's as non-voting members of wards. 
• New Multi-actor arrangement in Public Service -  Lakc of resources have presented executive departments with dilemmas which they have tried to solve by outsouricing. E.g Solid waste - most expensive service can be outsourced. Effective model of differentiated modes for levels of wealth.  Example of Delhi where urban planning and over 30 years have allowed little room for partnerships beween gov and local society (although changing recently). Stong hold of gov, and perverse effects of policies designed to reduce land speculation. Generally role of community organisations operating as lobbies for middle class has nnot previously been recognised. Citizens are increasingly expected to engage in investmentas well as operation of basic services. This type of privitiation - cost recover goes well beyond user fees for O&M.  Issue of transparecy being addressed via multi-actor arrangements. Executive side of govt can circumvent corrupt
• Contestations and Urban Goverance -  Look at gaps between responsibilities delegated to non state actors and accompaying finances and mandadtes that are not. Look sat role of judiciary who imping upon policy directirs - e.g slum dwellers redefined as illegal urban residents. This goe against slum policies adpopted by Delhi in 1990s based on re-location and in situ i mprovement. SLUM DWELLERS 30% of DELHI.