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Evolution of water governance in Bangladesh: An urban perspective

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  • Yasmin, T.
  • Farrelly, M.A.
  • Rogers, B.C.

Abstract

Within the context of urban transformations, water governance has received global attention due to its growing complexities in responding to wicked and multifaceted challenges, such as rapidly growing populations, increased resource demand and uncertain climate futures. To date, much of the empirical research on water governance and urban transformations has examined developed cities, with limited investigation of developing cities. This paper therefore aims to enrich current empirical insights regarding the evolution of, and key shifts within urban water governance in Bangladesh. Drawing on recent developments in sustainability transitions and urban water governance scholarship, the paper charts 250 years of water resource development in Bangladesh. Analysis of primary and secondary qualitative data sources revealed five major periods between 1757 and 2016 that represent key changes to governance approaches that underpinned sectoral changes. Although the shifts in governance approaches have cumulatively improved the adaptive capacity of Bangladesh’s urban water system, they have not been framed to provide guidance and facilitation for driving on-ground change, which may be inhibiting a sustainable transformation of Bangladesh’s urban water sector. Nevertheless, the insights do provide important foundations for informing the development of new governance models capable of dealing with multi-scale strategies for supporting a sustainability transformation.

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  • Yasmin, T. & Farrelly, M.A. & Rogers, B.C., 2018. "Evolution of water governance in Bangladesh: An urban perspective," World Development, Elsevier, vol. 109(C), pages 386-400.
    • Handle: RePEc:eee:wdevel:v:109:y:2018:i:c:p:386-400
    DOI: 10.1016/j.worlddev.2018.05.003
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    2. Wiwandari Handayani & S. P. Dewi & Bintang Septiarani, 2023. "Toward adaptive water governance: An examination on stakeholders engagement and interactions in Semarang City, Indonesia," Environment, Development and Sustainability: A Multidisciplinary Approach to the Theory and Practice of Sustainable Development, Springer, vol. 25(2), pages 1914-1943, February.
    3. Vanesa Castán Broto & Linda K. Westman, 2020. "Ten years after Copenhagen: Reimagining climate change governance in urban areas," Wiley Interdisciplinary Reviews: Climate Change, John Wiley & Sons, vol. 11(4), July.
    4. Rabeya Sultana Leya & Sujit Kumar Bala & Imran Hossain Newton & Md. Arif Chowdhury & Shamim Mahabubul Haque, 2022. "Water security assessment of a peri-urban area: a study in Singair Upazila of Manikganj district of Bangladesh," Environment, Development and Sustainability: A Multidisciplinary Approach to the Theory and Practice of Sustainable Development, Springer, vol. 24(12), pages 14106-14129, December.
    5. Jennifer Liu & Roy Brouwer & Dilruba Fatima Sharmin & Susan Elliott & Leah Govia & Danielle Lindamood, 2022. "Industry Perspectives on Water Pollution Management in a Fast Developing Megacity: Evidence from Dhaka, Bangladesh," Sustainability, MDPI, vol. 14(24), pages 1-16, December.

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