J. Post

Quality of Life and Alliances in Solid Waste Management - Contributions to Urban Sustainable Development

This paper examines the contributions that new alliances in urban solid waste management (SWM) systems can make to the quality of life by improving effective provision of this urban basic service, based on case studies of three multi-million cities in developing countries: Chennai, India; Manila, Philippines; and Lima, Peru. It starts with a systematic examination of the main types of alliances formed around SWM activities (including formal collection, transportation and disposal as well as informal collection, trade, re-use and recycling). These include public‐private, public‐community, community‐private and private‐private alliances. The main conclusion is that local authorities work together with large enterprises and non-governmental organisations (NGOs), but refuse to deal directly with the informal trade and recycling enterprises which recover large fractions of waste ‐ linking to them only through NGO or community-based organisation (CBO) mediation. It goes on to examine the contributions different alliances can make to sustainable development in cities, utilising the multiple goals of sustainable development as developed by Satterthwaite in 1997 (Urban Studies 34 (1997) 1667). Using a nine-point indicator system, it shows that current contributions of alliances between local authorities and large enterprises lie mainly in the area of improved disposal, cleaner neighbourhoods and financial viability. In contrast, alliances between local authorities, NGOs or CBOs and through them informal trade and recycling enterprises contribute more heavily to financial viability, employment, and cleaner urban neighbourhoods, as well as greater reuse and recycling of waste fractions. ≈ 2001 Elsevier Science Ltd. All rights reserved.

Trial and Error in Privatisation: Experiences in Urban Solid Waste Collection in Accra (Ghana) and Hyderabad (India)

Although privatisation policies have become extremely popular all over the developing world, there is still only scanty empirical evidence concerning the strengths and weaknesses of different organisational arrangements in service provision or concerning the overall impact of privatisation policies in specific sectors. In this paper, the socioeconomic performance of private modes of solid waste collection are contrasted with that of public modes of service delivery, using material from two different cities, Accra and Hyderabad. Although the forms of privatisation are quite distinct, there are a number of striking similarities in outcome. At the same time, the two cases demonstrate clearly that the dynamics of privatisation policies can only be understood within their particular societal context.

The Problems and Potentials of Privatising Solid Waste Management in Kumasi, Ghana

Abstract In an effort to improve the poor record of the city’s solid waste services, Kumasi authorities wish to transfer operations to private producers. This shift will create a completely new set of roles and responsibilities for the various actors involved in solid waste management. Unfortunately, Ghana’s history of state-led development has not produced a very receptive environment to this endeavour. While the private sector suffers from underdevelopment in general and inexperience in delivering services in particular, the local government is still insufficiently equipped to adequately manage the process. Kumasi’s residents are willing to contribute financially to a privatised system but insist on receiving value-for-money. This paper argues in favour of a business-like approach to the problem, while admitting that continued financial support on the part of the authorities as well as community support remain indispensable. Measures are being proposed to foster micro-enterprise involvement in waste collection, to promote the use of alternative technologies and to investigate potentials for recycling and reuse of waste.

The impact of decentralised forest management on charcoal production practices in Eastern Senegal

Abstract In accordance with Senegal’s decentralisation policy, important forest management tasks, including the right to allocate charcoal production rights, have been transferred to rural councils. This paper investigates the impact of these institutional reforms on charcoal production practices using the environmental entitlement framework developed by Leach et al. [Environmental entitlements: dynamics and institutions in community-based natural resource management. World Development 27 (2) (1999) 225]. The councils have not been able to turn their new endowments into entitlements because they lack sufficient strength and legitimacy. Informal institutions, notably the coalition between merchants, state agents and village chiefs, continue to run the charcoal business and are hardly affected by decentralisation efforts. Most rural people, especially those relying solely on agriculture for sustenance, do not benefit at all from the charcoal trade. They do suffer from the environmental costs it brings with it, however. Although tensions between pro-exploitation actors and pro-conservation actors are evident, the pro-exploitation actors’ firm grip on the informal institutions will probably lead to a prolonged subversion of the laws that seek to enhance local control and to sustain the forest.

Partnerships and the Public Interest: Assessing the performance of public-private collaboration in solid waste collection in Accra

Solid waste management is no longer a (local) government monopoly but a domain open to various modes of public-private co-operation. This paper investigates the performances of public-private partnerships in solid waste collection (SWC) in Accra. Through a process of trial and error, the (local) government has gradually transferred this service to the private sector. The strengths and weaknesses of the new partnerships are tested using a set of criteria that reflect major public concerns. The analysis shows that privatisation has benefited consumers in terms of wider coverage, higher frequency and more reliable services, but that there are also a number of drawbacks--notably, worsened labour conditions, negative environmental impacts and a lack of financial sustainability. Several reasons are put forward to explain why the potentials of partnerships in SWC are not fully realised. A major problem is that the defence of the pubic interest continues to rely on the state whose commitment and capacity to act accordingly is disputable.

Selective intervention in Kasala's town centre

Abstract This article aims to show how the authorities interfere in the fight for central space, using the medium-sized town of Kassala (in the Sudan) as an example. The analysis of various government interventions in the Kassala town centre indicates that decision makers generally have little concern for the interests of the most vulnerable groups, especially under the present administration. They are led by ill-considered, class based ideas of what a ‘modern’ city should look like. This implies that ‘unsuitable’ forms of activity (street vendors, craftsmen) and shelter (old houses, mud shops, simple sheds) are removed to allow for the construction of new, multistorey shops, offices, hotels and apartments. Although the government tries to provide the victims with an alternative outside the central area, they usually overestimate their financial capacity, while underestimating their attachment to the centre. Furthermore, the ‘unofficial’ users of the zones intended for redevelopment are either completely disregarded for compensation or have to make do with a mere pittance.

Solid waste management and recycling

Solid waste management and recycling , Solid waste management and recycling , کتابخانه دیجیتال جندی شاپور اهواز

The politics of urban planning in the Sudan

Urban planning in the Sudan fails to deal adequately with the problems of rapid urbanisation. In this paper the poor performance of urban planning is related to developments in the planning environment. The context is investigated using what is known as the urban management approach as a tool for analysis. An attempt is made to elucidate how the overall political climate, measures to increase popular participation, decentralisation efforts, economic development policy and the prevailing administrative culture and structure affect urban planning practice. The grim picture that arises from the evaluation is attributed mainly to the adverse role of politics and to countervailing forces within the social system. Accepting, however, that progress is gradual, the paper ends with some suggestions as to how to improve upon the present situation.

Government, market and community in urban solid waste management; problems and potentials in the transition to sustainable development?

-Post, Johan and Isa Baud (2004) Government, market and community in urban solid waste management; problems and potentials in the transition to sustainable development? in: Baud, Isa., Johan. Post and Christine Furedy (2004) Solid Waste Management and Rec