TOWARDS INCLUSIVE URBAN GOVERNANCE: STAKEHOLDER DYNAMICS AND POLICY PATHWAYS IN RAJSHAHI, BANGLADESH
DOI:
https://doi.org/10.14456/apsr.2026.1Keywords:
Stakeholder Participation, Urban Governance, Inclusive Development, Rajshahi City, BangladeshAbstract
This study critically examines the complex dynamics of stakeholder participation in urban development projects in Rajshahi City (RC), Bangladesh, to inform strategies for more inclusive and effective outcomes. Specifically, it analyzes the extent of stakeholder involvement across project phases—from decision-making to evaluation—to identify key bureaucratic and socio-political barriers to effective participation and proposes strategies to enhance inclusivity, transparency, and capacity-building among diverse groups. Employing a mixed-methods approach, data were gathered from a purposive sample of 50 respondents, encompassing residents, NGO representatives, and project personnel involved in ongoing development initiatives in RC. The findings indicate that while robust stakeholder involvement generally correlates with positive project implementation, its overall effectiveness is substantially undermined by critical barriers, including limited public awareness, pervasive political interference, weak inter-agency coordination, systemic corruption, and entrenched socio-economic disparities. This research highlights a significant gap between policy intentions and practical realities in participatory development contexts, contributing to the South Asian literature on urban governance. It offers critical policy insights for designing robust, transparent, and equitable urban development strategies, underscoring the imperative for institutional reforms and enhanced civic engagement to achieve sustainable urban governance.
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Copyright (c) 2026 Md. Al-Amin AKONDO, Md. Sultan MAHMUD, Rahmat ULLAH
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