Application of the “Urban Governance Index” to water service provisions: Between rhetoric and reality

摘要: Abstract When appraising urban governance practices for better service provisions in the Global South, a gap generally emerges between rhetoric and reality. Practice-based local processes to produce improved services are mainly informal often diverge from official prescriptions mechanisms delivery within institutional sphere. Here we present results of an exploration into complex uncertain domain assessments, focussing on sustainable water supplies benefit poor. By adapting UN-Habitat Urban Governance Index, look dual dimension appreciate its formal architecture at municipal level as well nature locally-specific arrangements aimed improving access basic services. Water co-production strategies public institutions organised groups citizens Venezuela provide excellent case by which appraise two distinct facets governance. We illustrate limitations assessment tools appreciating extent vibrancy agreements services, discrepancies normative ground.