Struggles for Sustainable Urban Development in Cochabamba, Bolivia

leaving the theme merely cosmetic in the operation of the government. In Cochabamba there
is little evidence that the environmental authorities would possess any real power. Making
provincial decentralisation compatible with municipal development is also a challenge for
institutional development in Bolivia (Blanes 2003).
Importance of trust
The importance of trust between different stakeholders in the policy process cannot be
overemphasised. Sabel & Zeitlin (1997) highlight the importance of trust describing it as a
cement of society that makes a contractual regime possible. They argue that trust cannot arise
spontaneously but is constructed during the course of history. In a jointly prepared urban
governance toolkit Transparency International and the United Nations Human Settlements
Program declare:
The level of trust in local government and public agencies is a key factor that
determines the extent and quality of civic engagement (UN-HABITAT &
Transparency International 2004).
They explain that loss of trust can discourage the participation of different parties, including
the private sector, in public service delivery or democratic processes. In Cochabamba one of
the principal reasons for the conflicts and difficulties in finding consensus is the lack of trust.
Different stakeholders don’t trust each other and fear that the other parties only seek to
maximise personal gain. Without trust there is fierce competition of resources and only with
trust can there be cooperation. The lack of trust is particularly eminent on people’s dealing
with the government. Perhaps it’s the legacy of populism and unfulfilled promises that has
weakened the trust toward politicians and government authorities.
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