Gerrit van der Waldt

Local Governance Resilience: Navigating Contemporary Challenges explores the critical intersection of governance, resilience, and sustainability, and offers a comprehensive framework for addressing contemporary issues. Gerrit van der Waldt examines how local governments can adapt, recover, and innovate amidst crises, providing theoretical insights and practical applications across diverse topics, including climate adaptation, urbanization, smart city governance, and crisis management. His work integrates the principles of the United Nations Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs), particularly SDG 11 (Sustainable Cities and Communities) and SDG 13 (Climate Action), underscoring the essential role of resilient local governance in achieving global sustainability targets. Through examples and actionable strategies, this study equips readers with the tools needed to build adaptive, inclusive, and sustainable communities. Providing valuable insights for academics, policymakers, urban planners, and local government leaders, this volume is essential for those seeking to understand and enhance the resilience of local governance systems. By addressing both theoretical and practical dimensions, it offers a vital resource for navigating the complexities of modern governance.

What is Public Administration? How does Public Management operate? Who are the key role-players? What are the principles, and how are these applied practically in the developmental context of South Africa? Addressing the broad topics that form the foundations of Public Administration and Management in South Africa, this text introduces and critically explores all foundational and functional aspects of the development, theories, principles, concepts, approaches and structure of public administration. Key topic areas are accessed in dedicated chapters to provide a solid grounding in the discipline. Students are orientated in the theoretical foundations of public administration and the practical implementation of public management in developmental South Africa, across local, provincial and national government spheres. Covering the role and function of core aspects of public administration and management, topics addressed include: public decision-making; service delivery and policy implementation; leadership and control; human resources management; public financial management; and ethics in the public sector. An expertly designed pedagogical framework supports and develops important academic skills such as critical thinking, practical application and data interpretation. Presented in a real, applied and visual manner, this engaging text is the essential introduction for all students of BAdmin, BA, BSocSci or BCom degrees in public administration and public management.