Citizen participation in urban local government: a case study of Kanaighat Paurashava in Bangladesh

Main Article Content

Mohammad Shahjahan Chowdhury
Md Aktaruzzaman

Abstract

Scholars have identified many variables as determinants of citizen participation, but not all of these are relevant to citizen participation in specific cultural and political contexts. This paper seeks to identify the specific factors which work as drivers for citizen participation in Bangladesh through a case study of Kanaighat Paurashava (municipality), an urban local government. It identifies the following variables which strongly affect citizen participation: the role of elected representatives, notably their willingness and awareness; the provision of information to citizens; citizens’ capacity; and resources available. Findings also suggest that a holistic approach is needed to understand and change representatives’ attitudes towards citizens and ensure participation.

Article Details

How to Cite
Chowdhury, M. S., & Aktaruzzaman, M. (2017). Citizen participation in urban local government: a case study of Kanaighat Paurashava in Bangladesh. Commonwealth Journal of Local Governance, 119-134. https://doi.org/10.5130/cjlg.v0i19.5451
Section
Research and Evaluation (peer-reviewed)
Author Biographies

Mohammad Shahjahan Chowdhury, Shahjalal University of Science and Technology Bangladesh

Department of Public Administration

Shahjalal University of Science and Technology Bangladesh

Md Aktaruzzaman, Shahjalal University of Science and Technology Bangladesh

Department of Public Administration

Shahjalal University of Science and Technology Bangladesh