Measuring Urban Governance of TMAS in Punjab using Urban Governance Index

Abstract

In order to combat urban poverty UN HABITAT in 1999 launched “Global Campaign on Urban Governance” with the purpose of supporting the application of the Habitat agenda goal of “sustainable human settlements development in an urbanizing world”. Under this campaign Urban Governance Index (UGI) was developed in 2004 so as to validate the importance of good urban governance in accomplishing Millennium Development Goals at global level. Besides, the index also act as catalyze local action to improve the quality of urban governance at the local level. The research has been undertaken to evaluate the existing situation of urban governance in local governments particularly Tehsil Municipal Administrations (TMA’s) in Punjab, Pakistan. Data is collected through structured interviews, surveys and secondary sources regarding four sub-indexes of UGI including Effectivity, Equity, Participation and Accountability and consists of total 26 number of indicators. Results have showed that on an average the Urban Governance Index of Punjab TMA’s is 0.40 on a scale of 0 to 1 which is well below the half of index. Results also depicts that average Effectiveness and Equity sub index values are 0.32 and 0.31 respectively. Least sub index value is recorded in Participation sub index which is 0.02 primarily due to no existence of elected local government. Whereas highest value is recorded in Accountability Sub Index which is 0.97 which shows strong theoretical existence of accountability in TMA’s. The highest UGI value is recorded in cities of Attock and Muree in Northern Punjab which is 0.45. When Compared with UGI of 24 different cities of developing world, these cities stand at 22 which shows quite poor situation with regard to urban governance. Research has also highlighted some key urban governance issues across TMA’s of Punjab such as low revenue generation, lack of financial independency, increased expenditure on non- xvii development activities, non-existence of performance delivery standards and vision statement, non-presence of elected local government, lack of public and women participation and poor service delivery. Hence there is need to focus primarily on these issue in order to increase the level of urban governance in TMA’s of Punjab.