Evaluating institutional effectiveness in urban climate governance: The case of Bahir Dar City, Northwestern Ethiopia

Abstract

Rapid urbanization and climate change present a serious dual challenge for cities in the Global South. Effective Urban Climate Governance (UCG) is vital for building resilience, yet its institutional effectiveness remains under-examined. This study provides a mixed-methods assessment of UCG in Bahir Dar, Ethiopia. Quantitative data from a survey of 162 experts were analyzed using the Relative Importance Index (RII) and Analysis of Variance (ANOVA), and systematically triangulated with qualitative insights from 16 key informant interviews and document analysis. The results reveal a critically inadequate governance system (Overall Index = 0.489). The most significant finding is a systemic “policy-implementation chasm” while formal accountability mechanisms showed moderate functionality (RII = 0.639), they were rendered ineffective by a near-total failure in the enforcement of climate laws (RII = 0.400); the weakest link in the entire governance chain. Inferential analysis confirmed this structural disconnect, revealing a significant perceptual gap (p < 0.05) between regional and local officials regarding awareness-raising efforts. This core failure was compounded by profound weaknesses in participation, equity, and institutional capacity. The study’s primary limitation is its reliance on government expert perceptions for quantitative data, a constraint mitigated by qualitative triangulation with non-state actors. The study concludes that Bahir Dar’s UCG framework is a primary barrier to achieving climate resilience. Transformative reforms focusing on legal enforcement and inclusive participation are urgently needed. This study offers a replicable framework for diagnosing UCG effectiveness in similar rapidly urbanizing contexts.