Governance networks and public participation in solid waste management in urban areas: the case of Lusaka district

Abstract

Despite several actors being involved in waste management, 85 percent of solid waste in Lusaka district is uncollected. The purpose of this research is to analyse theDespite several actors being involved in waste management, 85 percent of solid waste in Lusaka district is uncollected. The purpose of this research is to analyse the nature of governance networks and challenges against public participation in solid waste management in urban areas, the case of Lusaka district. The research adopted a mixed methods approach, involving both qualitative and quantitative methods. A sample of 121 was engaged, comprising six key informants and 115 residents. Semi-structured interviews and a questionnaire were used to collect data. This data was analysed by SPSS and content analysis. The findings indicate that planning for solid waste management is done by a network of actors. These actors include the City council, private companies, Ward Development Committee, the area Councillor and local residents. Privileged actors such as private companies and government officials influence decisions. The findings further show that residents participate in the planning process but their views are not incorporated in decision making. However, evaluation of solid waste management is done independently by different actors. The actors include the City council, private companies, Ward Development Committee and Zambia Environmental Management Agency. The findings also indicate that residents are excluded in planning and evaluating solid waste management. This is due to lack of meetings and structures to organise these meetings. The research therefore, conclude that the nature of governance networks in planning and evaluating domestic solid waste management is that of capture and exclusion. The networks are captured by privileged actors such as the private companies who influence decisions that promote maximisation of their own profits at the expense of service delivery. The exclusion of governance networks is in such a way that residents face challenges to participate and their views are not considered in decision making. The research recommends that governments should ensure that all actors collaborate in planning and evaluating domestic solid waste management. Key words: governance networks, public participation, solid waste management, planning, evaluation, Zambia in urban areas, the case of Lusaka district. The research adopted a mixed methods approach, involving both qualitative and quantitative methods. A sample of 121 was engaged, comprising six key informants and 115 residents. Semi-structured interviews and a questionnaire were used to collect data. This data was analysed by SPSS and content analysis. The findings indicate that planning for solid waste management is done by a network of actors. These actors include the City council, private companies, Ward Development Committee, the area Councillor and local residents. Privileged actors such as private companies and government officials influence decisions. The findings further show that residents participate in the planning process but their views are not incorporated in decision making. However, evaluation of solid waste management is done independently by different actors. The actors include the City council, private companies, Ward Development Committee and Zambia Environmental Management Agency. The findings also indicate that residents are excluded in planning and evaluating solid waste management. This is due to lack of meetings and structures to organise these meetings. The research therefore, conclude that the nature of governance networks in planning and evaluating domestic solid waste management is that of capture and exclusion. The networks are captured by privileged actors such as the private companies who influence decisions that promote maximisation of their own profits at the expense of service delivery. The exclusion of governance networks is in such a way that residents face challenges to participate and their views are not considered in decision making. The research recommends that governments should ensure that all actors collaborate in planning and evaluating domestic solid waste management. Key words: governance networks, public participation, solid waste management, planning, evaluation, Zambia