Analysis of the Demand side of Accountability in the Urban Sector A Study of Chennai City
Author: Dr. R.S.Murali
Publisher: Archers & Elevators Publishing House
Published:
Total Pages: 236
ISBN-13: 938564064X
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Demand Side of Accountability
Author: R.S. Murali
Publisher: Notion Press
Published:
Total Pages: 332
ISBN-13: 9383416122
DOWNLOAD EBOOKIn thought-provoking fashion,R. S.Murali contemplates the problems facing the decision makers of India in the twenty first century. Accountability in governance is the key issue today and the world is looking for some approach to understand the same. He examines in detail the demand side of accountability for the first time ever and provides an in-depth analysis, and means, for all the stakeholders, particularly the policy makers and researchers. The ATA© model (the accountability- ansparencyactionability trio) arising out of this research is bound to be a useful tool for those involved in conceptualization, implementation or evaluation of accountability/transparency. This book, the result of his research based on hard urban data, makes compelling reading, and is a must-read for both policy-makers and those affected by such policies. This book is being released at a time when the national debate is dominated by the elections to the 16th Lok Sabha.The UPA which has been ruling the country for nearly a decade after the 2004 elections has left a very poor track record of governance marked by a series of high profile scams and brazen corruption. The three recent agitations led by three charismatic leaders – Anna Hazare, Baba Ramdev and Arvind Kejriwal –have made accountability and good governance especially with the focus on eradicating corruption from public life the key issue. In this context, well conceived ideas for good governance become vital to add depth to the contents of the debates. More importantly they may have an impact in the framing of the public policies of the incoming government. N VITTAL Retd. Chief Vigilance Commissioner This book is an important contribution to the literature on public accountability and transparency, offering valuable conceptual models, grounded in the reality of urban life through a case study of Chennai. Samuel Paul Founder, Public Affairs Centre and former Director, IIMA A must-read for anyone interested in the challenges of fixing our cities, and the role played by systemic reforms related to information, accountability and participation in improving urban services. The book ‘Demand side of Accountability’ brings much-needed rigour to the critical element in a ‘city-systems’ framework, and holds much value for practitioners as well as policy makers. It deserves wide dissemination and discussion. Ramesh Ramanathan Convener, Janaagraha A major effort in understanding the theoretical underpinnings of governance in civic bodies. M.R.Sivaraman Retd. Expenditure Secretary, Government of India
Financing Metropolitan Governments in Developing Countries
Author: Roy W. Bahl
Publisher: Lincoln Inst of Land Policy
Published: 2013
Total Pages: 430
ISBN-13: 9781558442542
DOWNLOAD EBOOKThe economic activity that drives growth in developing countries is heavily concentrated in cities. Catchphrases such as “metropolitan areas are the engines that pull the national economy” turn out to be fairly accurate. But the same advantages of metropolitan areas that draw investment also draw migrants who need jobs and housing, lead to demands for better infrastructure and social services, and result in increased congestion, environmental harm, and social problems. The challenges for metropolitan public finance are to capture a share of the economic growth to adequately finance new and growing expenditures and to organize governance so that services can be delivered in a cost-effective way, giving the local population a voice in fiscal decision making. At the same time, care must be taken to avoid overregulation and overtaxation, which will hamper the now quite mobile economic engine of private investment and entrepreneurial initiative. Metropolitan planning has become a reality in most large urban areas, even though the planning agencies are often ineffective in moving things forward and in linking their plans with the fiscal and financial realities of metropolitan government. A growing number of success stories in metropolitan finance and management, together with accumulated experience and proper efforts and support, could be extended to a broader array of forward-looking programs to address the growing public service needs of metropolitan-area populations. Nevertheless, sweeping metropolitan-area fiscal reforms have been few and far between; the urban policy reform agenda is still a long one; and there is a reasonable prospect that closing the gaps between what we know how to do and what is actually being done will continue to be difficult and slow. This book identifies the most important issues in metropolitan governance and finance in developing countries, describes the practice, explores the gap between practice and what theory suggests should be done, and lays out the reform paths that might be considered. Part of the solution will rest in rethinking expenditure assignments and instruments of finance. The “right” approach also will depend on the flexibility of political leaders to relinquish some control in order to find a better solution to the metropolitan finance problem.
Disease Control Priorities, Third Edition (Volume 6)
Author: King K. Holmes
Publisher: World Bank Publications
Published: 2017-11-06
Total Pages: 1027
ISBN-13: 1464805253
DOWNLOAD EBOOKInfectious diseases are the leading cause of death globally, particularly among children and young adults. The spread of new pathogens and the threat of antimicrobial resistance pose particular challenges in combating these diseases. Major Infectious Diseases identifies feasible, cost-effective packages of interventions and strategies across delivery platforms to prevent and treat HIV/AIDS, other sexually transmitted infections, tuberculosis, malaria, adult febrile illness, viral hepatitis, and neglected tropical diseases. The volume emphasizes the need to effectively address emerging antimicrobial resistance, strengthen health systems, and increase access to care. The attainable goals are to reduce incidence, develop innovative approaches, and optimize existing tools in resource-constrained settings.
Cities and Climate Change
Author: Daniel Hoornweg
Publisher: World Bank Publications
Published: 2011-06-02
Total Pages: 329
ISBN-13: 0821386670
DOWNLOAD EBOOKThis book provides the latest knowledge and practice in responding to the challenge of climate change in cities. Case studies focus on topics such as New Orleans in the context of a fragile environment, a framework to include poverty in the cities and climate change discussion, and measuring the impact of GHG emissions.
The Urban Rail Development Handbook
Author: Daniel Pulido
Publisher: World Bank Publications
Published: 2018-09-11
Total Pages: 845
ISBN-13: 146481273X
DOWNLOAD EBOOKCities across the globe are looking to develop affordable, environmentally friendly, and socially responsible transportation solutions that can meet the accessibility needs of expanding metropolitan populations and support future economic and urban development. When appropriately planned and properly implemented as part of a larger public transportation network, urban rail systems can provide rapid mobility and vital access to city centers from surrounding districts. High-performing urban rail services, when carefully approached as development projects, can help enhance quality of life by giving citizens access to employment opportunities, essential services, urban amenities, and neighboring communities. The purpose of this Handbook is to synthesize and disseminate knowledge to inform the planning, implementation, and operations of urban rail projects with a view towards: -- Emphasizing the need for early studies and project planning; -- Making projects more sustainable (economically, socially, and environmentally); -- Improving socioeconomic returns and access to opportunities for users; -- Maximizing the value of private participation, where appropriate; and -- Building capacity within project implementing and managing institutions This Handbook provides experiential advice to tackle the technical, institutional, and financial challenges faced by decision makers considering urban rail projects. It brings together the expertise of World Bank staff and the input of numerous specialists to synthesize international 'good practices' and recommendations that are independent of commercial, financial political, or other interests. The material presented is intended as an honest-broker guide to maximize the impact and manage the challenges of urban rail systems in cities in both developed and developing countries. Rather than identify a single approach, this Handbook acknowledges the complexities and context necessary when approaching an urban rail development by helping to prepare decision makers to ask the right questions, consider the key issues, perform the necessary studies, apply adequate tools, and learn from international good practice all at the right time in the project development process.
The Globalization of Crime
Author: United Nations Office on Drugs and Crime
Publisher: UN
Published: 2010
Total Pages: 0
ISBN-13: 9789211302950
DOWNLOAD EBOOKIn The globalization of crime: a transnational organized crime threat assessment, UNODC analyses a range of key transnational crime threats, including human trafficking, migrant smuggling, the illicit heroin and cocaine trades, cybercrime, maritime piracy and trafficking in environmental resources, firearms and counterfeit goods. The report also examines a number of cases where transnational organized crime and instability amplify each other to create vicious circles in which countries or even subregions may become locked. Thus, the report offers a striking view of the global dimensions of organized crime today.
Building Urban Resilience
Author: Abhas K. Jha
Publisher: World Bank Publications
Published: 2013-03-01
Total Pages: 209
ISBN-13: 0821398261
DOWNLOAD EBOOKThis handbook is a resource for enhancing disaster resilience in urban areas. It summarizes the guiding principles, tools, and practices in key economic sectors that can facilitate incorporation of resilience concepts into decisions about infrastructure investments and urban management that are integral to reducing disaster and climate risks.
World Development Report 2009
Author: World Bank
Publisher: World Bank Publications
Published: 2008-11-04
Total Pages: 410
ISBN-13: 082137608X
DOWNLOAD EBOOKRising densities of human settlements, migration and transport to reduce distances to market, and specialization and trade facilitated by fewer international divisions are central to economic development. The transformations along these three dimensions density, distance, and division are most noticeable in North America, Western Europe, and Japan, but countries in Asia and Eastern Europe are changing in ways similar in scope and speed. 'World Development Report 2009: Reshaping Economic Geography' concludes that these spatial transformations are essential, and should be encouraged. The conclusion is not without controversy. Slum-dwellers now number a billion, but the rush to cities continues. Globalization is believed to benefit many, but not the billion people living in lagging areas of developing nations. High poverty and mortality persist among the world's 'bottom billion', while others grow wealthier and live longer lives. Concern for these three billion often comes with the prescription that growth must be made spatially balanced. The WDR has a different message: economic growth is seldom balanced, and efforts to spread it out prematurely will jeopardize progress. The Report: documents how production becomes more concentrated spatially as economies grow. proposes economic integration as the principle for promoting successful spatial transformations. revisits the debates on urbanization, territorial development, and regional integration and shows how today's developers can reshape economic geography.
Reforming Infrastructure
Author: Ioannis Nicolaos Kessides
Publisher: World Bank Publications
Published: 2004
Total Pages: 328
ISBN-13:
DOWNLOAD EBOOKElectricity, natural gas, telecommunications, railways, and water supply, are often vertically and horizontally integrated state monopolies. This results in weak services, especially in developing and transition economies, and for poor people. Common problems include low productivity, high costs, bad quality, insufficient revenue, and investment shortfalls. Many countries over the past two decades have restructured, privatized and regulated their infrastructure. This report identifies the challenges involved in this massive policy redirection. It also assesses the outcomes of these changes, as well as their distributional consequences for poor households and other disadvantaged groups. It recommends directions for future reforms and research to improve infrastructure performance, identifying pricing policies that strike a balance between economic efficiency and social equity, suggesting rules governing access to bottleneck infrastructure facilities, and proposing ways to increase poor people's access to these crucial services.
