The rapid growth of urbanization, technological advancements, and various civic challenges necessitates improving the urban governance system to be more effective, efficient, inclusive, and democratic. Vacancies in the positions of mayors and councillors have persisted since the July uprising last year, highlighting the need for a reevaluation of their roles in the context of evolving governance dynamics. The current urban local government system in Bangladesh faces shortcomings in delivering public services efficiently.
Despite being considered the cornerstone of democracy, city corporations and municipalities often lack democratic decision-making processes. The disparity in political influence, skills, and educational backgrounds between councillors and mayors can hinder the council’s role as a policy-making body. Mayors hold significant formal and informal control over the council, overseeing administrative development and budget management. However, the presence of councillors allegedly associated with criminal activities limits open discussions and diminishes the council’s effectiveness in addressing public interest issues.
While the Local Government (City Corporation) Act 2009 provides a legal framework, the concentration of power in mayors obstructs decentralized decision-making in urban governance. Mayors often make unilateral decisions, disregarding the input of councillors and other stakeholders, thereby undermining democratic principles. The ward, as the primary unit for citizen representation and service delivery in municipalities and city corporations, faces challenges in providing effective services and executing development projects due to demographic imbalances and urban migration issues.
The establishment of standing committees, as mandated by the municipal acts, aims to enhance governance efficiency; however, these committees often lack the necessary expertise and operational support, rendering them ineffective. Revenue generation through local taxes, fees, and government grants faces obstacles such as tax evasion, limited tax collection scopes, and corruption, leading to budget deficits in municipalities and city corporations. Furthermore, the shortage of skilled personnel and inadequate coordination among service delivery agencies pose significant challenges to urban administration and service delivery.
To address these issues and promote citizen engagement, structural reforms are essential, transitioning city corporations from a “presidential model” to a “parliamentary model.” Citizen services should be decentralized to the ward level, focusing on essential services like registration, licensing, and waste management. Scientific master plans, aligned with the recommendations of the Local Government Reform Commission, should guide sustainable urban development, emphasizing land use, transportation, housing, and environmental conservation. Stringent enforcement of zoning regulations is crucial to curbing illegal constructions and managing urban expansion effectively.
Dr. Mohammad Tarikul Islam, a professor at Jahangirnagar University’s Department of Government and Politics and a member of the Local Government Reform Commission, emphasizes the need for these structural changes to promote democratic governance in municipalities and city corporations.
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