The Governance Capacity Framework applied in Naivasha, Kenya
One of the tools within the City Blueprint Approach is the Governance Capacity Framework (GCF) that focuses on five water-related challenges: 1) flood risk, 2) water scarcity, 3) urban heat islands, 4) wastewater treatment, and 5) solid waste treatment. These are amongst the most recurring issues that will steadily increase in importance due to global climate change trends and urbanization.
Daniel Ddiba, researcher at Stockholm Environment Institute and KTH Royal Institute of Technology, applied the Governance Capacity Framework (GCF) in a case study on the circular economy of organic waste streams in Naivasha (Kenya).
In this blog, Daniel shares his findings. A case study on the circular economy of organic waste streams in Naivasha (Kenya) applying the City Blueprint Approach.
Governance Capacity Framework (GCF)
The GCF tool is unique in its systematic approach, enabling the collation of evidence from multiple sources of data. It also allows the comparison of results from various cases, which means that stakeholders can learn from each other in terms of how they respond to similar challenges. The GCF toolkit is available to use ‘out of the box’, which means that little customizations are necessary, especially when applied to tackle water-related governance challenges. It is also beneficial that it is available in English, Spanish, and a few other languages, making it possible to use the toolkit in various geographical settings.
Case study Kenya
Our team used the tool in a case study in Naivasha, Kenya. We are also finalizing another case study using it in the town of Chía, Colombia. With the tool we were able to identify some key factors that hinder the uptake of circular approaches for managing of organic waste streams in a city like Naivasha. It also provided insights into which factors create an enabling environment for the circular economy initiatives already existing in the area.
Results
I would encourage other researchers working on governance challenges for the circular economy to consider the tool in their work, especially if connected to empirical cases. The results can generate further insights from circular economy cases and enable cross-learning and exchange of knowledge based on results from various tool applications.
Open access journal article
Ddiba, D., Andersson, K., Koop, S.H.A., Ekener, E., Finnveden, G. and Dickin, S. 2020. “Governing the circular economy: Assessing the capacity to implement resource-oriented sanitation and waste management systems in low- and middle-income countries.” Earth System Governance 100063.