Basic Services for All in an Urbanizing World: Gold III

This is probably the most detailed and up-to-date summary of the quality and extent of provision of basic services in each region of the world. The main body of the work is seven regional chapters. Each is written by specialists from that region – for Africa, Asia Pacific, Eurasia, Europe, Latin America, the Middle East and West Asia, and North America. Other sections include an Introduction, Conclusions and Recommendations as well as appendices on governance and financing of basic urban services and basic service provision in metropolises. This book is also entitled GOLD III as it is the third global report on Local Democracy and Decentralization produced by United Cities and Local Governments (UCLG).

Each of the seven regional chapters covers water, sanitation, solid waste collection and management, and public transport, while particular chapters cover other services – for instance, most cover electricity. Asia Pacific includes slum improvement and disaster preparedness, Europe includes broadband and child and elderly care, and North America includes broadband. Each chapter has a particular interest in governance, management and financing of basic services. The Conclusions note how much the achievement of the Millennium Development Goals and the post-2015 sustainable development agenda depends (and will depend) on the competence and capacity of local governments. It also outlines the measures needed to enhance their capacities and strengthen their accountability, especially to low-income groups.

More information: http://www.routledge.com/books/details/9781138780606/