Barriers to Environmental Governance for Sustainable Urban Development

Abstract

Cities globally are estimated to double their population by 2050 thereby increasing the necessity to underscore sustainability. Projections of economic growth, social equality, infrastructural development in urban centers and cities highlight the precept of environmental governance in attaining sustainable urban development. Untold impacts of unstructured urban development become barriers to environmental governance particularly on pillars of governance such as transparency and equity. Further, these barriers to environmental governance focus on institutional, financial and policy frameworks that have not been developed for sustainable urban development. The implied cost of urban planning and reduced urban personnel enhance barriers for environmental governance and sustainable urban development. The study utilized an exploratory research design which employed secondary data for analysis and desktop reviews on environmental governance and sustainable urban development for emerging cities globally and those in existence. Findings of the study illustrate the pivotal role of environmental governance for sustainable urban development with a keen focus on institutions, financial prudence and enhanced policy frameworks. The findings further underscore the necessity to amalgamate environmental governance and urban development with a view of fostering sustainability in an increasing urban and city population. Overcoming the barriers to environmental governance cements sustainability for urban centers and safeguards the future growth of sustainable cities.