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VOL. 1, ISSUE 1 (2025)
Participatory municipal management and sociopolitical realities in southern Benin: A case study of Porto-Novo
Authors
Alassane Boukary Biga
Abstract
Participatory municipal management has increasingly
been recognized as a vital approach to improving governance and socio-economic
development at the local level, particularly in developing countries. This
study investigates the dynamics of participatory municipal management within
the socio-political context of Porto-Novo, the capital city of southern Benin.
The research aims to understand how participatory governance mechanisms
interact with existing sociopolitical realities, including traditional power
structures, political actors, and community engagement in municipal
decision-making. Employing a qualitative case study methodology, data were
collected through semi-structured interviews with local officials, community
leaders, and residents, alongside document analysis and participant
observation. The findings reveal that while participatory frameworks are
formally institutionalized, their implementation is often constrained by
entrenched political interests and socio-cultural factors that limit genuine
community involvement. However, pockets of successful participatory initiatives
demonstrate the potential for collaborative governance to enhance transparency
and accountability. The study concludes that strengthening participatory
municipal management in Porto-Novo requires addressing power asymmetries and
fostering inclusive political dialogue. These insights have broader
implications for urban governance reforms in similar socio-political
environments across West Africa.
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Pages:21-26
How to cite this article:
Alassane Boukary Biga "Participatory municipal management and sociopolitical realities in southern Benin: A case study of Porto-Novo". World Journal of Current Research, Vol 1, Issue 1, 2025, Pages 21-26
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