Cette recherche traite du sujet de la gouvernance urbaine locale au delà de son aspect conceptuel ou analytique. Il est question d'appréhender la gouvernance urbaine locale à travers : le projet urbain, les moyens et mécanismes de la gestion de la chose publique aussi bien législatifs que techniques, ainsi qu'à travers les pratiques des acteurs publics et l'ensemble des parties prenantes dont les acteurs de la société civile locale. En s'appuyant sur l'exemple du projet de la requalification urbaine de la rue de la République à Marseille, l'étude s'intéresse également à montrer la capacité et l'apport des associations de quartier dans la défense des intérêts des citoyens et la promotion de la démocratie participative locale. Par ailleurs, la recherche aborde la question de l'impact des mutations scocio-économiques, dues au croisement des politiques publiques, et l'intervention des acteurs économiques aussi bien sur l'espace micro-local, en l'occurrence la rue, que sur le milieu urbain et les citoyens. C'est tout l'intérêt de cette recherche de montrer l'impact des logiques économiques et politiques sur la gestion du projet urbain et la place qu'occupent les citoyens et les acteurs associatifs dans le processus décisionnel. / This research deals with the subject of local urban governance beyond its conceptual or analytical aspect. It is question to understanding the local urban governance through: the urban project, the means and mechanisms for the management of the public affairs as well as techniques and practices of public and all stakeholders, including local civil society actors. Based on the example of urban regeneration project in the street of the République in Marseille, the study also showed the ability and the contribution of neighbourhood associations in the interests of citizens and promotion of local participatory democracy. Furthermore, the research addresses the question of the impact of mutations scocio-economic due to the crossing of public policy and the intervention of economic actors on the micro-local space, namely the street, and on the urban citizens. It's the whole interest of this research to show the impact of economic and political logics on the urban project and to show the place of citizens and civil society actors in decision making.

Conceptually, South Africa is “one sovereign democratic state”, with a three-sphere governmental system operating co-operatively. Each sphere of government has “original” or constitutionally-allocated powers and functions, as well as legislative and executive powers. Thus, the governmental system is a hybrid or one sui generis, not benefiting from appropriate precedents. The status and autonomy given local government makes it somewhat unique in the world. Application of the principle of subsidiarity, and the mandate for local government to be developmental has resulted in the roles and responsibilities of municipalities being substantially increased, notwithstanding that most suffer from a lack of resources and capacity. Local authorities moved from the establishment of the first one in 1682 as providers of basic municipal services on the basis of race and affordability to democratically-elected ‘wall-to-wall’ municipalities in 2000. With 257 municipalities serving a population of 55.6 million, South African local authorities are comparatively large, spatially and demographically. Given the constitutional-statutory framework and the resultant complex operating environment, it is imperative that all municipalities are able to represent their interests in an intelligent, forceful, and unified manner on decision-making institutions to ensure a close fit between policies/programmes and peoples’ needs. Hence, effective municipal representation by knowledgeable, ethical and committed persons is imperative. The study provides a history of representation and local authority ‘development’ and underdevelopment in South Africa; a theoretical basis for representation; a review of formalism and government’s approach to development; co-operative governance and intergovernmental relations as a mechanism to facilitate municipal representation; an analysis local government powers, functions, status, autonomy, objects, rights and duties of municipalities; local participatory and representative democracy; and the establishment of municipalities. The constitutional and statutory provisions provide the foundation and framework to facilitate municipal representation. The study continues by analysing other mechanisms that enable municipal representation; a comparative review of local government and co-operative governance in certain select countries. It goes on to review the formal framework for organised local government in South Africa, including an overview of the South African Local Government Association (SALGA). Finally, findings and recommendations are made toward a model for municipal representation in South Africa. / Public, Constitutional and International Law / LL. D.