The purpose of this research is to investigate the contribution of basic services namely water supply, electricity, sewerage, telephone, roads and drainage network etc. for urban living in Dhaka. In the last three and a half decades, Dhaka’s urban basic services governance has been functioning scantily because of supply shortage, sub-standard quality, lack of inter-operator coordination, resource constraints etc. Fragmented governance of urban services – which allowed functioning of several independent special purpose providers in the city - has been argued to be the key contributor by the concerned local researchers, academics, politicians, user groups etc. The same have professed integrated governance of these basic services under the single institutional canvas of a general-purpose metropolitan government headed by elected leadership as the potential remedy. The research is aimed at examining the prospects of metropolitan government for rendering improvements in this connection. In the process, the research investigated the institutional capacities of the selected service providers based on secondary information, carried out questionnaire interview on sampled users to gauge on their level of satisfaction with the present service governance. The above two investigations examined the effectiveness, equity, efficiency and responsiveness of the existing arrangement as in broad terms, these determines the governance performance. Additionally, the research reviewed cases of metropolitan government from overseas to learn how the arrangement can contribute in this regard. Investigation results from Dhaka align with the assertion that fragmented mode of governing urban basic services have caused the surfacing of the present ailing status. Review of overseas experiences revealed that metropolitan government arrangement has been quite successful in improving governance problems of urban services similar to Dhaka. Based on the results, the current research favors the establishment of a general-purpose metropolitan government in Dhaka with sole powers over urban basic services delivery and management. The research also suggests that key considerations for enacting such a governance arrangement needs to reflect on the prospects of consolidating functional and areal jurisdictions, financial affairs of urban basic services under its single institutional framework. The research is significant in context of Dhaka as well as Bangladesh in way that it crafts scope for conducting further examination on issues related to the strengthening of urban local government bodies, tentative functional domains and prospects of implementing metropolitan government in other Bangladeshi cities. / published_or_final_version / Kadoorie Institute / Doctoral / Doctor of Philosophy

Thesis (doctoral)--Georg-August-Universität zu Göttingen.

This study examines existing theories regarding local government consolidation and applies them to four case studies. From existing theories, thirty-four factors that influence the outcome of consolidation attempts are identified. These thirty-four factors are applied to four case studies. These are Nashville/Davidson County (1958), Cleveland/Cuyahoga County (1959), Nashville/Davidson County (1962), and Jacksonville/Davidson County (1967). Thirty of the thirty-four factors prove to be less influential than theorized. Four factors prove to be essential to any successful consolidation attempt. They are as follows:1. The presence of long standing unsolved problems that are under the jurisdiction of the local government.2. The presence of a crisis situation.3. Favorable state laws regarding the types of voting majorities needed for passage of consolidation measures.4. The presence of a strong grassroots campaign for consolidation. / Department of Urban Planning

Thesis (M.A.)--University of Louisville, 2004. / Department of Sociology. Vita. "August 2004." Includes bibliographical references (leaves 64-67).

M.A. / The aim of this study was to gain an understanding of the nature and problems of metropolitan service delivery in South Africa. The dissertation provided a broad overview of the nature of metropolitan local government and the external environment within which local government operates. It deals with the relationship between local and other spheres of Government, as well as with the legislation that creates, defines and regulates local government. The dissertation focuses on the functioning of the sphere of local government (within its constituent structures, namely municipalities) within given regulatory and structural parameters. This enquiry is premised on the view that studying metropolitan government and administration in general, and in South Africa in particular, as well as specific factors that have a profound effect on such government-based structures should be taken into account. In the light of the above argument, the overarching perspective this study was based on was that of a documentary and conceptual analysis using qualitative research methods to explore the specific requirements that are set for the service delivery needs of citizens within metropolitan municipalities. This study aimed to provide a conceptual framework gained from the literature in order to explain the issues, concerns and challenges surrounding metropolitan service delivery and its application in municipal settings. In conceptualising local governance and management, the study focused on unravelling the concept from the perspective of clarifying and enhancing the understanding of the phenomenon, as well as exploring the inputs that may influence effective and efficient metropolitan service delivery both positively and negatively. Constant comparative data analysis methods were also used to search for recurring variables and themes. Due to the interdependence of all levels of Government, any discussion of constitutional mandates will inevitably touch on certain matters that will not only affect the other government levels in general, but also the total legislative and policy effort in particular.

Thesis (M. S.)--Civil and Environmental Engineering, Georgia Institute of Technology, 2009. / Committee Chair: Meyer, Michael; Committee Member: Amekudzi, Adjo; Committee Member: Garrow, Laurie. Part of the SMARTech Electronic Thesis and Dissertation Collection.

Thesis (M.S.)--University of Wisconsin--Madison, 1969. / eContent provider-neutral record in process. Description based on print version record. Includes bibliographical references.

No description available.

A research report submitted to the Faculty of Management, University of the Witwatersrand, in partlal fulfillment of the requirements for-tne degree of Master of Management (in the field of Public and Development Management). / This research report develops a review framework for metropolitan local government in Greater Johannesburg and South Africa, through the extrapolation of the key aspects of three generic models of metropolitan local government. These models are classified as confederal. tow-tier and unicity type of city government. The need for the review of local government in Greater Johannesburg is illustrated through an historical overview or events in the transformation of local government since 1990, The crucial clements or the generic models arc also described in terms of metropolitan evaluation criteria and area variables. Evaluation criteria are defined as essential strategic indicators of performance, whilst area variables are seen as those factors which contribute to the specific structure and nature of metropolises in South Africa. Tile generic models are compiled in the format of a review matrix. which take the crucial elements thereof, as well as the evaluation criteria and area variables into account. Compatibility with the evaluation criteria are measured as being either low, medium or high. The conclusion is made that either an integrating two-tier system or metropolitan government or an unicity with limited delegation to community councils represent the optimal alternative for Greater Johannesburg. / AC2017

Due to a lack of adequate funding for transportation projects, decision-makers are facing the challenge of selecting which projects are pursued and which have to be deferred. Project prioritization is widely used as a tool to evaluate and rank projects, but methods differ greatly across the nation. This thesis documents the methods used by metropolitan planning organizations (MPOs) in the seventy-five largest metropolitan areas in the United States. The research was internet-based and focused on the material discussed in the long-range plan. This research is valuable in the development of the practice of project prioritization through the identification of common approaches and deficiencies. By understanding prioritization experiences, failures, and accomplishments, MPOs can adopt those approaches that best provide the information needed and desired by decision makers to establish project priorities.