Governance at the Grassroots: How Local Actions Shape Urban Sustainability in Bangladesh
In an era where cities are rapidly expanding and the urban landscape of developing countries is evolving under immense pressure, the role of governance has never been more critical. Our recently published study in the International Journal of Community Well-Being explores this very intersection between urban governance and sustainable development, focusing on four diverse city corporations in Bangladesh—Rajshahi, Sylhet, Barisal, and Gazipur. The article, titled “Assessing the Role of Urban Governance in Promoting Sustainable Cities and Communities,” investigates how local governments are navigating challenges and opportunities in achieving Sustainable Development Goal 11 (SDG 11), which emphasizes inclusive, safe, resilient, and sustainable cities.
Bangladesh’s urban transition is marked by high population growth, industrialization, and increasing demands for basic services and infrastructure. Yet, the capacity of local governance systems to adapt and respond to these shifts varies widely. Our research employed a mixed-methods approach, collecting data from 1,200 residents and conducting key informant interviews and focus group discussions across the four city corporations. Through this combination of quantitative rigor and qualitative depth, we were able to assess citizens’ perceptions, governance performance, and institutional practices affecting urban sustainability.
One of the most striking findings emerged from Gazipur City Corporation (GCC), which is experiencing the sharpest challenges among the cities studied. Despite being a hub of industrial development, GCC is weighed down by poor infrastructure, ineffective waste management, environmental degradation, and weak disaster preparedness. The city’s drainage systems are insufficient, public spaces are under-maintained, and illegal land occupation is rampant, threatening both local development and ecological stability. What is most concerning is the low level of public trust in the city’s capacity to achieve SDG 11, with a majority of residents expressing skepticism or outright disbelief in any meaningful progress.
In contrast, Sylhet City Corporation (SCC) presents a more encouraging picture. The city enjoys relatively higher levels of satisfaction among residents in areas such as cleanliness, water supply, and public service delivery. SCC’s governance practices—characterized by better community engagement and relatively proactive leadership—have fostered a more optimistic outlook among its citizens. Though challenges remain, particularly in maintaining green spaces and addressing traffic congestion, the city is seen as being on a more promising trajectory.
Barisal and Rajshahi offer nuanced insights. Barisal’s geographic vulnerability to climate change and rising sea levels places significant demands on its governance systems, particularly in disaster management and infrastructure resilience. While residents voice concerns about public service quality and access, there is also an underlying recognition of the city’s potential if governance structures can be strengthened. Rajshahi, on the other hand, is known for its cleaner and greener urban environment, but faces difficulties in maintaining these standards as urban pressures increase. Issues such as waste disposal and road infrastructure remain contested, yet there is a moderate degree of public satisfaction and belief in progress.
To delve deeper into the governance dynamics, we conducted an exploratory factor analysis, which distilled the complexity of urban governance into four key dimensions: illegal activities (such as land grabbing and unauthorized construction), public facilities (including utilities and sanitation services), administrative management (encompassing governance effectiveness and disaster preparedness), and the environment of entertainment places (related to the quality and accessibility of parks and public spaces). These factors, we argue, are not only indicative of current governance challenges but also offer a roadmap for targeted improvements. For instance, the overwhelming dissatisfaction with public parks in Gazipur and Sylhet underscores the importance of investing in green infrastructure, while the management component reveals the critical need for improved disaster risk communication and local preparedness strategies.
What emerges from this comparative analysis is a clear message: governance matters. The differences in residents’ satisfaction levels, infrastructure quality, and optimism toward sustainable development are strongly influenced by how local governments engage with their communities, allocate resources, and implement policies. Our findings suggest that cities that adopt inclusive, participatory governance models are better positioned to meet the complex demands of urban sustainability. Moreover, the integration of adaptive governance approaches—those that can learn, evolve, and respond to new challenges—is crucial, especially in contexts marked by rapid change and uncertainty.
This study also highlights the urgent need for a shift toward environmentally conscious governance practices. For example, water supply systems across the cities are heavily reliant on submersible pumps powered by fossil fuels—a practice that exacerbates environmental degradation. The potential for harnessing renewable energy and promoting water harvesting methods remains largely untapped. Similarly, waste management continues to follow outdated models, despite rising awareness of their ecological impact.
Ultimately, the path to achieving SDG 11 in Bangladesh’s urban centers is complex, but not unreachable. Our research underscores that sustainable urban futures require not just investments in infrastructure, but a transformation in how cities are governed. This involves fostering greater transparency, accountability, and citizen engagement, as well as building institutional capacities for integrated planning and innovation. As we reflect on the findings from these four city corporations, it becomes evident that while challenges abound, so do the opportunities to build cities that are more equitable, resilient, and sustainable for generations to come.