Local environmental action in Japan: the transfer of the groundwork approach

This paper is the basis for a report on the transfer of the UK Groundwork approach to Japan. It details the background and history of Groundwork in the UK and sets out some of the relevant context in Japan. A Japanese case study (plus two further secondary cases) is detailed and conclusions and recommendations are drawn from the work to help suggest future directions for GW and environmental action in Japan in the future

Local Environmental Action in Japan: the Transfer of the Groundwork Approach

This paper is the basis for a report on the transfer of the UK Groundwork approach to Japan. It details the background and history of Groundwork in the UK and sets out some of the relevant context in Japan. A Japanese case study (plus two further secondary cases) is detailed and conclusions and recommendations are drawn from the work to help suggest future directions for GW and environmental action in Japan in the future.

Towards Food Sovereignty

La soberanía alimentari

The institutionalisation of urban upgrading processes and community participation in Egypt

A conceptual framework, 'accountable bureaucratic capacity' is utilised to investigate the ability of local government to institutionalise collaborative urban upgrading measures in partnership with civil society organisations. The main argument is that the latter cannot contribute to sustainable development, democratisation or to protect citizens' rights in low-income neighbourhood without accountable representation from their side, a reciprocal and active representation from the citizens concerned, and an accountable public sector. The capacity of urban governance and the extent to which participatory initiatives can exploit the potential within existing structures and systems are examined. This examination allows an evaluation of how far a participatory project rated as 'good-practice' can enhance citizens' awareness of opportunities, political participation and local government performance, while building collaborative and institutionalised planning capacity. The research concludes that the sustainability of urban upgrading depends on the form of citizens' participation and the management styles of cities. Successful participation during an upgrading project may have 'transformative' potential to encourage citizens' political participation. If the citizens are not active, even though they reject the government's development agenda, or have to depend on 'informal' networks to provide their needs, they may be characterised as 'free-riders', who withdraw from urban governance and its collaborative decision-making processes. Legal recognition of squatter settlements is the first step required to institutionalise upgrading policies, particularly for indigenous or customary groups trying to survive in a world characterised by increasing interdependence and escalating threats to local ties. However, although this recognition strengthens a group's ability to negotiate and interact with non-group members, it may also have detrimental effects if it is not supported by additional legislation. Local government needs institutional reform and a strategic capacity-building programme to forge partnerships and the joint responsibility of the public and private sectors, as well as of civil society

Sanitation and Human Security in South Sudan

This research investigated the pathways through which sanitation affects human security using the case of South Sudan. The country has faced multiple intermittent and devastating disasters since 1955, the cumulative effect of which has impacted sanitation and human security leaving about two-thirds of the population in need of humanitarian assistance. In consequence, it becomes a necessity to examine implications of these on achieving a target of the sustainable development goal which aims to end open defecation particularly among people in vulnerable situations by 2030. Reviewing the literature revealed that there are theoretical and empirical gaps on the relationship between sanitation and human security resulting in the sanitation security model being designed to create starting points for data collection, analysis, interpretation and discussion. Site visit to South Sudan and use of qualitative data collection methods highlighted contextual nuances and processes required in addressing research question. By applying case study research design and contextually appropriate research methods, the differences, similarities, variations and contradictions in rural, urban and displaced persons site regarding the research topic were investigated. It is found that the sanitation and human security nexus is complex and bidirectional with security and sustainable sanitation as intervening factors. There is the need for more appropriately contextualised research, policy and practice on sanitation and human security both together and apart if the sustainable development goals are to be met and poverty eradicated