Disaster risk reduction and empowering local government – a case comparison between Sri Lanka and New Zealand

2016 ◽  
Vol 7 (4) ◽  
pp. 318-329 ◽  
Author(s):  
Kristen MacAskill ◽  
Peter Guthrie
Keyword(s):  
New Zealand ◽  
Sri Lanka ◽  
Local Government ◽  
Built Environment ◽  
Local Governments ◽  
Disaster Risk ◽  
Role Of Government ◽  
Content Type ◽  
Case Comparison

Purpose This paper examines the role of government in New Zealand in facilitating the development of resilience in the built environment, with reference to the post-earthquake recovery of Christchurch. A cross-case comparison of the institutional structures and arrangements for disaster risk management (DRM) between Sri Lanka and New Zealand provides a useful basis to consider the broader implications of the findings from both countries. Particular consideration is given to the role of community participation in DRM decisions. Design/methodology/approach Malalgoda and Amaratunga (2015) recently published an article on empowering local governments to develop resilience in the built environment in Sri Lanka. This paper provides a response to their discussion in conjunction with a New Zealand case study. Findings Despite being one of the most advanced countries in the world with regards to DRM, New Zealand faces significant challenges in implementation, chief amongst which is that local governments have yet to truly prioritize DRM in urban development. While community consultation is embedded in the legislative framework, requirements for consultation were somewhat misjudged by the local government in Christchurch’s recovery. A lesson to be learnt from Christchurch’s experience is that even if the Sri Lankan authorities follow Malalgoda and Amaratunga’s recommendations for greater devolution of powers to local government, there will be tensions if community expectations over consultation are not met. Originality/value The cross-case analysis offers a helpful lens through which it is possible to examine DRM. It is useful for informing governments and other stakeholders, helping them to understand the challenges their institutions may face in facilitating DRM and building resilience.

scholarly journals Overcoming challenges faced by local governments in creating a resilient built environment in cities

2016 ◽  
Vol 25 (5) ◽  
pp. 628-648 ◽  
Author(s):  
Chamindi Malalgoda ◽  
Dilanthi Amaratunga ◽  
Richard Haigh
Keyword(s):  
Sri Lanka ◽  
Local Government ◽  
Built Environment ◽  
Local Governments ◽  
Expert Knowledge ◽  
Theory And Practice ◽  
Indian Ocean Tsunami ◽  
Sri Lankan ◽  
Content Type ◽  
Government Sector

Purpose Although, a number of initiatives have been taken after the devastating Indian Ocean tsunami to institutionalise disaster risk reduction (DRR), gaps still exist in the Sri Lankan local government sector. Even after ten years, local governments are still struggling to overcome a number of challenges in relation to making resilience in the built environment. DRR has not yet been properly integrated into the local government system and, as a result, poses a significant challenge. Accordingly, the purpose of this paper is to discover the hindrances for local governments in creating disaster resilient built environment within cities and to propose ways of overcoming the identified limitations. Design/methodology/approach In total, 15 semi-structured interviews were conducted among experts from Sri Lanka who are involved in disaster management, local governments and built environment fields of study. The interviews were conducted with the intention of gaining expert knowledge pertaining to this field of study. The interviews were mainly designed to capture the current practices for instigating DRR initiatives within Sri Lanka, the role of local governments in creating a disaster resilient built environment and the associated challenges, and ways of overcoming such challenges to ensure an effective contribution to city resilience. Findings Primary data discovered 36 challenges along with some associated sub-challenges. The challenges were categorised under eight main themes: legal framework; lack of adequate tools, techniques and guidelines; human resource constraints; funding constraints; weaknesses in the internal systems and processes; weaknesses in the external systems; community engagement; and other challenges. The paper analyses these challenges in detail and proposes a set of recommendations to overcome the challenges in order to create disaster resilient built environments within cities. Research limitations/implications The paper provides a descriptive analysis of how the Sri Lankan local government sector could overcome the underpinning challenges of contributing to disaster resilience in the built environment and no comparative studies were conducted with in other tsunami affected regions. Furthermore, the paper analyses partial findings of a broader research, which was aimed at developing a framework to empower local governments in creating a disaster resilient built environment. Originality/value The paper provides an extensive analysis of the challenges faced by local governments in contributing to the resilience of their built environment and proposes how these challenges could be overcome while making a worthwhile contribution to both theory and practice. Accordingly, the paper recommends major changes in policy and practice with respect to bringing local governments into DRR.

“Measuring up”: a systematic literature review of performance measurement in Australia and New Zealand local government

2021 ◽  
Vol ahead-of-print (ahead-of-print) ◽  
Author(s):  
Mary C. Johnsson ◽  
Matthew Pepper ◽  
Oriana Milani Price ◽  
Lauren P. Richardson
Keyword(s):  
Systematic Review ◽  
New Zealand ◽  
Local Government ◽  
Performance Measurement ◽  
Local Governments ◽  
Management Practices ◽  
New Public Management ◽  
Systematic Review Methodology ◽  
Content Type ◽  
Starting Point

Purpose Measurement practices have long been considered vital for informing the management of performance in organisations. Their application to local governments is a more recent, yet multi-decade phenomenon facilitated by New Public Management trends. This paper aims to review the landscape of publications that discuss performance measurement (PM) practices in Australian and New Zealand local government contexts and identify implications for future research. Design/methodology/approach A systematic review methodology was used to identify a shortlist of publications. Next, a rating-based researcher appraisal process was applied. Multiple iterations of search and appraisal were conducted to form the basis for inductive thematic analysis and synthesis. Findings Analysing 65 PM publications, two interrelated themes, namely, discourses of performance as efficiency, accountability or strategic growth and change were identified, which influence the adoption of local PM tools and frameworks. As demands for strategic growth and more complex service delivery increase, strategic and localised adaptation of PMs may be required to integrate learning and communicative competencies with technical and operational capabilities. Research limitations/implications The systematic review methodology has been applied to address some of the limitations of publication and reporting biases in literature. This research provides a starting point for future investigations and broadening of discourse in local government contexts. Originality/value This paper represents the first systematic review of 1995–2020 publications on performance management practices used by local governments in Australia and New Zealand.

scholarly journals New directions in New Zealand local government

2010 ◽  
pp. 158-175 ◽  
Author(s):  
Peter McKinlay
Keyword(s):  
New Zealand ◽  
Local Government ◽  
Local Governments ◽  
Economies Of Scale ◽  
New Public Management ◽  
Business Community ◽  
Local Authorities ◽  
Proper Role ◽  
Starting Point

The purpose of this paper is to provide a ‘work in progress’ report on some initiatives emerging from local government practice in New Zealand which should help us consider how we think about the role of local government in a world which is undergoing dramatic change. The starting point is work which the writer undertook with the support of Local Government New Zealand (the national association) and a number of New Zealand councils considering the ‘proper role’ of local government. The context is an ongoing public debate driven substantially by the New Zealand business community from a perspective that this ‘proper role’ should be restricted to the delivery of local public goods, narrowly defined. This has included argument that local governments themselves should be structured substantially to promote the efficient delivery of services generally within the now well understood prescriptions of the ‘new public management’. One implication which the business sector in particular drew in looking at the workings of local government was that there should be economies of scale through further amalgamation of councils (the local government sector having been through a major amalgamation process in 1989 which eliminated a large number of special purpose authorities and reduced the number of territorial local authorities from more than 200 to 73). Debate continues, with the latest manifestation being the National Party led government's proposals for the restructuring of local government within the Auckland region, New Zealand's major metropolitan area. The initiatives discussed in this paper are partly a response, but more significantly a result of selected local authorities reflecting on the nature of their role, and the opportunities for being proactive in using their statutory privileges in ways that could produce benefits for their communities without any associated increase in the cost of local government itself.

scholarly journals The Management of Sustainable Development at Malaysian Local Government: Stakeholders’ Perception

2015 ◽  
Vol 773-774 ◽  
pp. 1220-1225
Author(s):  
Sulzakimin Mohamed ◽  
Seow Ta Wee ◽  
Goh Kai Chen ◽  
Md Asrul Nasid Masrom ◽  
Mohd Hilmi Izwan Abd Rahim
Keyword(s):  
Sustainable Development ◽  
Local Government ◽  
Built Environment ◽  
Local Governments ◽  
The Sustainable Development ◽  
Construction Operation ◽  
Relevant Factors ◽  
Design Construction

Sustainable development has become an important aspect of the construction industries. There are many ways sustainability elements can be incorporated in the design, construction, operation and deconstruction of a building. Importantly sustainability represents the link between society and built environment professionals. In relation to that, this study involves a look at the stakeholders outlook and interaction with sustainability. In this study, the focus will be aimed on the role of the Local Governments and how the perception of the stakeholders. Therefore, this study intend to look into the sustainable development and better understanding the strength and weaknesses and other relevant factors that promote or hinder the Sustainable Development. This study is to contribute to the enrichment of knowledge on the role of Local Governments in Sustainable Development. Therefore, this research seeks to find out whether sustainable development is being practiced and seeks to find out what is happening with respect to issues of what, how and why things are being done with the development of Sustainable Development globally and in Malaysia in general.

scholarly journals Administrative Capacity of Local Government in Responding to Natural Disasters in Developing Countries

2021 ◽  
Vol 2 (2) ◽  
pp. 114-124
Author(s):  
Nguyen Van Quang ◽  
Doan Trieu Long ◽  
Nguyen Dung Anh ◽  
Thanh Nguyen Hai
Keyword(s):  
Local Government ◽  
Natural Disasters ◽  
Adaptive Capacity ◽  
Local Governments ◽  
Local Level ◽  
Local Authorities ◽  
Role Of Government ◽  
Administrative Capacity ◽  
Central Highlands

The important role of local government in the socio-economic development of localities has been confirmed in many domestic and foreign studies. But the role of government in drought adaptation has often received little attention and analysis in domestic studies. Approaching from the local tectonic government model, the article argues that local government is an important link to promote adaptive capacity at the local level of Vietnam and the Central Highlands provinces provide a case study that is typical for research and development of the capacity to adapt to drought and natural disasters for local authorities in Vietnam. Analysis of adaptive capacity through case studies in local government in the Central Highlands provinces shows that capacity is a major challenge for local governments here. The paper recommends that it is necessary to further expand the initiative and role of local authorities in guiding and promoting adaptation for communities and local people. Doi: 10.28991/HEF-2021-02-02-03 Full Text: PDF

scholarly journals PERAN PEMERINTAH DAERAH DALAM PENGEMBANGAN OBYEK WISATA HUTAN BATU RAMMANG – RAMMANG DI KABUPATEN MAROS

2012 ◽  
Vol 2 (2) ◽  
Author(s):  
Harnida Harnida ◽  
Muhammad Tahir
Keyword(s):  
Qualitative Research ◽  
Local Government ◽  
Local Governments ◽  
Local Communities ◽  
Role Of Government ◽  
The Government ◽  
Research Type

This study aims to determine the role of local governments in the development of forest tourism rammang rammang stone- Maros and determine the government's efforts in the development of tourism rammang-rammang stone forests Maros, using role government indicator as a facilitator, regulator and mediator. This research is qualitative research type phenomenology. Data were collected using such instruments; Observation, interviews and document searches. The results of this study indicate that in general the role of government in the development of tourism rammang rammang- stone forest in Maros is not maximized. As a facilitator, the government has not been much to facilitate the activities of local communities. As a mediator, local governments lack the desire and complaints from people in the area related to the improvement of facilities and infrastructure. As a regulator, the local government has not communicating about the rules of preservation of these attractions.  Penelitian ini bertujuan untuk mengetahui peran pemerintah daerah dalam pengembangan obyek wisata Hutan Batu Rammang-rammang Kabupaten Maros dan mengetahui upaya pemerintah dalam pengembangan obyek wisata hutan batu rammang- rammang Kabupaten Maros dengan menggunakan indicator pemerintah sebagai fasilitator, regulator dan mediator. Jenis penelitian ini bersifat kualitatif dengan tipe penelitian fenomenologi. Data dikumpulkan dengan menggunakan instrumen berupa; Observasi, wawancara dan penelusuran dokumen. Hasil Penelitian ini menunjukkan bahwa secara umum peran pemerintah dalam pengembangan obyek wisata hutan batu rammang- rammang di Kabupaten Maros belum maksimal. Sebagai fasilitator, pemerintah belum banyak memfasilitasi aktifitas masyarakat setempat. Sebagai mediator, pemerintah daerah kurang keinginan dan keluhan dari masyarakat di daerah tersebut terkait peningkatan sarana dan prasarana. Sebagai regulator, pemerintah daerah juga kurang berkomunikasi mengenai aturan pelestarian obyek wisata tersebut.

Resource allocation and service design in local government: a case study

2015 ◽  
Vol 28 (1) ◽  
pp. 29-41
Author(s):  
Manzurul Alam
Keyword(s):  
Resource Allocation ◽  
New Zealand ◽  
Local Government ◽  
Service Design ◽  
City Council ◽  
Reform Process ◽  
Content Type ◽  
Government Organizations

Purpose – Following the introduction of the New Zealand Local Government Amendment Acts (1996, 2002), some significant changes have taken place in resource allocation and service design of local government organizations. The purpose of this paper is to investigate the effect of local government reforms on budgetary processes and service design in a New Zealand local government entity. Design/methodology/approach – The paper adopts a qualitative case study research involving semi-structured interviews with the key informants to understand the evolving role of resource allocation the study investigates the budgetary processes in a metropolitan city council. Findings – The traditional role of budget has changed to a more active and visible instrument in explaining the effectiveness and efficiency in the use and allocation of resources. Budgets have been given a central role in the management of local government finances. The reform process in New Zealand has enabled local government organizations to organize their activities by using the concepts of public and private goods. Research limitations/implications – This is a single local government entity case study. Any generalization of the conclusions from this study should undertaken with care even though there are similarities between New Zealand and other countries even though they operate under different institutional contexts in different countries. Originality/value – This paper makes important contribution by highlighting the implications of resource allocation on service design within New Zealand local government entities.

PERANAN SEKTOR PERIKANAN DALAM PEMBANGUNAN WILAYAH DAN STRATEGI PENGEMBANGANYA DALAM RANGKA OTONOMI DAERAH KABUPATEN BALANGAN

2016 ◽  
Vol 4 (8) ◽  
pp. 110 ◽  
Author(s):  
Syahrida Ariani ◽  
Idiannor Mahyudin ◽  
Emmy Sri Mahreda
Keyword(s):  
Local Government ◽  
Development Strategy ◽  
Local Governments ◽  
Swot Analysis ◽  
Descriptive Analysis ◽  
High Price ◽  
Role Of Government ◽  
Weighting Matrix ◽  
And Function

Kabupaten Balangan mempunyai sumber daya perairan yang cukup besar dan berpotensi meningkatkan pendapatan asli daerah, diharapkan peran pemerintah Kabupaten Balangan yang mempunyai wewenang sebagai pelaksana eksplorasi dan pengelolaan kekayaan perairan harus bisa menggali potensi dari sektor perikanan agar lebih optimal dalam rangka pelaksanaan otonomi daerah.  Secara umum penelitian ini bertujuan untuk menerapkan teknik perencanaan pembangunan wilayah Kabupaten Balangan.  Sedangkan secara khusus penelitian ini bertujuan untuk mengetahui peranan sektor perikanan terhadap perekonomian Kabupaten Balangan dan menetapkan alternatif strategi pengembangan sektor perikanan dalam rangka otonomi daerah di Kabupaten BalanganMetode penelitian yang digunakan bersifat deskriptif kualitatif, sedangkan pendekatan yang digunakan adalah studi kasus dan analisis data yang digunakan adalah analisis deskriptif, analisis keuntungan dan analisis SWOT (Isu Strategis & Identifikasi Masalah)Berdasarkan hasil analisis SWOT dan perhitungan pembobotan dengan matriks QSP didapatkan alternatif strategi urutan prioritas untuk pengembangan sektor perikanan sebagai berikut : 1) Pemerintah daerah komitmen terhadap pengembangan sektor perikanan melalui alokasi anggaran, 2) Pemerintah daerah melalui Dinas PTPHPP meningkatkan peran BBI dan UPR untuk mengasilkan induk dan benih yang berkualitas dan memiliki sertifikasi, 3) Meningkatkan peran dan fungsi penyuluh perikanan, 4) Meningkatkan pemanfaatan potensi lahan budidaya dengan komoditas unggulan yang bernilai ekonomis tinggi, 5) Pemerintah daerah melalui dinas Pertanian TPHPP melakukan pembinaan dan pendampingan kepada masyarakat sehingga dapat meningkatkan pengetahuan dan keterampilan masyarakat dalam penguasaan teknologi, 6) Memfasilitasi masyarakat untuk mengakses permodalan ke perbankan, 7) Perlu adanya regulasi kebijakan dan langkah nyata untuk mengatasi meningkatnya harga pakan, 8) Pemerintah Daerah melalui Dinas Perindustrian, Perdagangan dan Koperasi memfasilitasi peta jalur pemasaran bagi petani ikan sehingga harga ikan bisa tetap stabil, 9) Perlu melakukan pembinaan dan pendampingan kepada masyarakat terutama untuk diversifikasi poduk menjadi produk olahan, 10) Perbaikan fasilitas infrastruktur dan fungsi sarana dan prasarana produksi budidaya perikanan melalui perbaikan saluran irigasi dan BBI, 11) Pemerintah daerah lebih mensosialisasikan skim perkreditan untuk rakyat KUR melalui sosialisasi kepada masyarakat.Balangan Regency has a fairly large waters resources and potentially increase revenues original areas, expected role of Government that has the authority Balangan Regency as Executive exploration and wealth management waters should be able to dig into the potential of the fishery to be more optimal in order to exercise the autonomy of the region.  In General, this research aims to apply the techniques of planning regional development Balangan Regency. Whereas in particular this research aims to know the role of the fisheries sector to the economy and setting the Balangan Regency alternative strategies for the development of fisheries sector in the framework of regional autonomy in Balangan Regency.Research methods used are descriptive qualitative, and used case studies approaches and analysis of the data used  descriptive analysis, analysis of profit and SWOT analysis (Strategic Issues and problem identification).Based on the results of the SWOT analysis and the calculation of weighting matrix with QSP obtained the alternative order of precedence for the development strategy of the fishery as follows: 1) local government commitment to the development of the fisheries sector through the allocation of the budget, 2) of local government through the Office of PTPHPP improves  the role of BBI and UPR to produce quality seeds and stem and have a certification, 3) increases the role and function of fisheries extension, officers, 4) increase the utilization potential of land fish breeding with  commodities consider superior high valued economically, 5) local government through the Department of agriculture TPHPP do coaching and mentoring to the public so as to enhance the community's knowledge and skills in mastering technology, 6) to facilitate the community  to access capital to banking, 7) need for regulatory policy  and real step  to cope with the high price of feed aquaculture through the improvement of irrigation channels and BBI, 8) local governments through the Exchange Service for industry, trade and cooperatives facilitates map marketing line for fish farmers so that the price of fish could remain stable, 9) need to do coaching and mentoring to the community especially to the processed products to be verified products, 10) Improved infrastructure facilities and function facilities and infrastructure production, 110 of local Government  more for socialize skim credit  for the  people  KUR through the socialization to the community.

scholarly journals Strengthening Local Government and Community Governance in New Zealand

2021 ◽  
Author(s):  
◽  
Michael Reid
Keyword(s):  
New Zealand ◽  
Local Government ◽  
Local Governments ◽  
Service Providers ◽  
Well Being ◽  
Community Governance ◽  
Strategic Objectives ◽  
Regional Service ◽  
Government Reforms

<p>The role of local government and specifically the concept of community governance have been the focus of much attention in recent years. For much of its history, local government was typically viewed by governments and citizens as a conservative sector, valued for its dependability rather than for innovation and its services rather than for its role in promoting community well-being. Public sector reform, globalisation and increasing demands by citizens have increased awareness of, and appreciation for, the potential for local governments to work with other organisations to address complex policy and management issues. These pressures have compelled the sector to innovate, and venture into areas that were previously considered to be outside its remit. Local governments the world over have therefore undergone extensive programmes of reform, often aiming to reorient councils from service delivery roles to broader roles concerned with community well-being, strengthening community leadership, and steering local and regional service providers towards local goals and strategic objectives. This trend has been characterised as a shift from local government to ‘community governance’ (Rhodes 1997, Stoker 2000). Local government in New Zealand is no exception. The Local Government Act 2002 (LGA 2002) broadened local government’s powers and purposes, introducing a collaborative, citizen-centred style of working within a framework oriented to securing community well-being and sustainable development. This research examines the concept and practice of local and community governance, internationally and in New Zealand. Its focus is the local government reforms introduced in New Zealand over the last two decades, and specifically the role of community governance. It uses several research methods to assess options for strengthening community governance in practice. The primary method is the development of a model which examines 10 dimensions of the New Zealand system to assess the degree to which they are able to achieve community governance. In addition, the approach to community planning undertaken by a sample of local authorities is examined to assess the degree to which councils are using this mechanism as an instrument for strengthening community governance. Further, a number of local government participants were invited to answer a range of questions about three alternative governance scenarios designed to test whether or not there is an ‘ideal’ local government structure for achieving community governance.</p>

scholarly journals Managing Central-Local Government Relationships: The Case of New Zealand

2012 ◽  
pp. 3-32 ◽  
Author(s):  
Michael Reid
Keyword(s):  
Economic Growth ◽  
New Zealand ◽  
Local Government ◽  
Local Governments ◽  
Magic Bullet ◽  
Two Sectors

The manner in which central and local governments engage has taken on extra salience in recent years as governments seek to address wicked issues and begin to appreciate the role of place as a key contributor of economic growth. Different approaches exist, ranging from formal and constitutional to informal and political, but none represents a magic bullet with outcomes always subject to local circumstances. In this context the example of New Zealand highlights a particular challenge; how to maintain effective of inter-governmental relationships in the absence of either constitutional recognition of local government or a formal agreement between the two sectors.

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