The Influence of Governance on the Provision of Urban Environmental Infrastructure and Services for Low-income Groups

This paper describes the inadequacies in the provision for water, sanitation and solid waste collection in nine cities in Africa, Asia and Latin America and discusses the main explanatory factors. These include the quality and capacity of each city's local government, and the nature of its relationship with citizen groups and non-governmental organizations within the city and with governments at provincial/state or national level. The paper highlights the many political constraints on ensuring healthier living and working environments for lower-income groups, including those rooted in local government structures and perceptions, as well as those related to low per capita incomes and poor economic performance.