Chapter 2: Local Governance Resilience Within a Sustainable Development Framework

Resilient local governance can be regarded as a prerequisite for realizing sustainable development outcomes through the building of adaptive capacity and by mitigating risks that can compromise the socio-economic wellbeing of communities. Sustainable development initiatives designed without a resilience mindset behind them may lead to unsustainable practices, as they fail to account for environmental, social, or economic disruptions. Given this context, in this chapter, the interface between local governance resilience and sustainable development is probed within the context of global and regional development frameworks. The approach followed is premised on the idea that addressing complex and interconnected global challenges demands a well-coordinated and collective response guided by global governance frameworks. These frameworks, including the United Nations Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs), the African Union Agenda 2063, and the European Green Deal, direct efforts to align global development initiatives with national and local sustainability, and resilience-building efforts. Central to this alignment is the capacity of local governments to implement global frameworks through localized, context-specific solutions. The cross-cutting initiatives that support local governance structures in building resilience while addressing immediate developmental needs are also addressed. In conclusion, key factors necessary to assist local governments in their dual role as longer-term sustainable development agents and actors to address immediate vulnerabilities impacting the resilience of communities are highlighted.