CEU Electronic Theses and Dissertations, 2011
| Author | Peev, Plamen Petkov |
|---|---|
| Title | Local environmental governance and environmental rules on the ground in Bulgarian municipalities |
| Summary | The thesis is grounded in the research of local environmental governance (LEG) in Bulgaria. The concept of LEG has been explored in the theoretical context of the underlying theories of local governance, environmental governance, multi-level governance, Europeanization and rules. The intensive processes of governance reforms in Bulgaria have been fuelled by democratization, globalization and European Union (EU) accession and membership with impacts on all governance levels, including local level. The Europeanization of rules and practices has posed new powers and responsibilities on Bulgarian municipalities in environmental field (notably in waste and wastewater management). Bulgarian municipalities have been in the focus of the research as local governance space and unit of analysis. The data for the dissertation has been collected from field research with three in-depth case studies (Teteven, Lukovit and Dobrich urban), from interviews at national level, and from document sources and direct observations. Case municipalities represent medium-sized and big municipalities both of urban and rural type. LEG has been explored through the lens of rules and rule-making processes at local level. Mayor and municipal administration have been identified as central actors and rule-makers within the municipality’s realm. Other actors like local NGOs, businesses and even municipal councils have been found in far weaker position concerning capacity and interest in local environmental governance. The most sophisticated rules’ system has been developed for waste management whereas areas like soil and biodiversity protection and even climate change are missing or are at initial stage on local agenda. The patterns of rule-making and governance in general are dominated by leadership and personalities’ powers, closed rule-making system, traditionalism, local centralism (concentration of powers and resources at municipal administrations), weak civil society and still underdeveloped expert capacity. Rule enforcement is also rather weak and subjective. The Europeanization has been driving force and symbol of new governance arrangements externalized in rules, new staff and large environmental investment funding. The national administration is keeping its central position in development, implementation of environmental policies, and in guiding, monitoring and sanctioning local administrations. The importance of local circumstances has been exemplified by local actors and their capacity and interests. In some cases local level is not the most suitable level for environmental governance – e.g. in biodiversity protection and climate change. Hierarchies have emerged as dominant governance structure that defines also the current mode of multi-level governance. Community, markets and networks have been found in many instances with potential to shape governance processes. |
| Supervisor | Antypas, Alexios |
| Department | Environment Sciences and Policy PhD |
| Full text | https://www.etd.ceu.edu/2011/peev_plamen.pdf |
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