From Waste Crisis to Circular Opportunity: Rethinking Municipal Solid Waste Governance in South Asia
Published in Earth & Environment and Law, Politics & International Studies
Municipal solid waste management has become one of the defining urban governance challenges of our time, especially in South Asia. Rapid urbanization, population growth, weak municipal infrastructure, and fragmented institutional arrangements have made it increasingly difficult for cities to manage rising volumes of waste effectively. A recent review article on urban governance and circular economy pathways for municipal solid waste management in South Asia offers a timely and important contribution to this debate.
The article is based on a systematic and bibliometric review of 592 peer-reviewed studies published between 2015 and 2025. One of its clearest findings is that scholarly attention to this issue has grown rapidly over the past decade, increasing from fewer than 30 publications in 2015 to more than 130 in 2024. This sharp rise reflects a broader recognition that waste management is not just a technical issue. It is also closely tied to governance, sustainability, climate resilience, and public health.
A major insight from the review is that India, Bangladesh, and Pakistan account for more than 80% of municipal solid waste generated in South Asia, yet recycling rates remain low and open dumping is still widespread. The article argues that this is not simply the result of inadequate technology. Instead, it points to deeper structural issues such as weak policy coordination, limited financing, poor institutional capacity, and a lack of integration between national, municipal, and community-level actors.
The study also shows that the research landscape in South Asia is uneven. India and Bangladesh dominate publication output and institutional contributions, while countries such as Bhutan, Maldives, and Afghanistan remain underrepresented. This imbalance mirrors broader regional inequalities in research capacity, waste data systems, and governance attention. As a result, some of the countries facing unique waste management challenges are still not adequately reflected in the evidence base.
Another important contribution of the article is its discussion of a shifting policy and research agenda. Earlier work focused more heavily on disposal, landfills, and technical treatment methods. In contrast, recent studies increasingly emphasize circular economy approaches such as recycling, composting, waste-to-energy systems, stakeholder participation, and the inclusion of informal waste workers. This shift is significant because it reframes waste not as an end-of-pipe problem, but as part of a broader urban system tied to resource recovery, environmental protection, and livelihoods.
The central message of the article is clear: South Asia must move beyond fragmented and disposal-oriented waste systems toward governance models that are inclusive, integrated, and circular. That means better policy coherence, stronger local institutions, recognition of informal sector contributions, and greater alignment with sustainability goals such as SDG 11 and SDG 12. For policymakers, researchers, and urban practitioners alike, this review offers both a diagnosis of the current crisis and a roadmap toward a more resilient and sustainable future.
Full Article References
Hossain, I., Haque, A. A systematic and bibliometric review on urban governance and circular economy pathways for municipal solid waste management in South Asia. Discov Cities 3, 13 (2026). https://doi.org/10.1007/s44327-026-00195-2
Follow the Topic
-
Discover Cities
This is a fully open access, peer-reviewed journal that supports multidisciplinary research and policy developments across the field of urban science.
Related Collections
With Collections, you can get published faster and increase your visibility.
Green Spaces and Sustainability in Cities
In recent decades, with the rapid development of urbanization, it has brought about rapid economic development and convenient life, while it has also brought a series of environmental problems, including global warming, air pollution, ecosystem chaos, biodiversity decline and other environmental problems, which will also lead to the physical and mental health of residents in cities. Green spaces in cities plays multiple roles in the city of ecological, social and economic services, is an integral part of the urban ecosystem, and plays an indispensable role in improving environmental problems and promoting sustainable development in cities.
This series aims to discuss the role of green spaces in alleviating environmental problems in cities, as well as research on the use and management of green spaces in sustainable urban development. Through this series of studies, we will explore how to better play the ecological and social service functions of green spaces in cities and promote the sustainable development of cities.
The research collected in this series includes, but is not limited to, the following topics:
• Evaluation of green spaces and ecological services value in cities;
• Evaluation the accessibility and equity of green spaces in cities;
• The impact of green spaces on microclimate in cities;
• Green spaces and health in cities;
• Green spaces and resilient cities;
• Green spaces and social justice;
• Green spaces and the well-being of residents in cities;
• Governing, planning and management of green spaces in cities.
• Green spaces in smart cities;
• Sustainable development in cities.
Keywords: Green space; Environmental sustainability; Climate change; Social justice; Resilient cities; Smart cities; Health; Urban planning; Urban service
Publishing Model: Open Access
Deadline: Jan 31, 2027
Improving Habitability in Informal Settlements: Challenges and Innovations
Rapid urbanization across the Global South has led to the proliferation of informal settlements, where over a billion people reside, often lacking adequate housing, basic infrastructure, and secure tenure. These communities are disproportionately vulnerable to multifaceted challenges, including the escalating impacts of climate change and significant health risks. While the scale of this issue is daunting, informal settlements are also sites of remarkable resilience and innovation. This Collection seeks to bring together cutting-edge research that explores both the persistent challenges and the novel strategies for improving habitability in these complex urban environments. We welcome original research articles, case studies, and review papers that address, but are not limited to, the following interconnected themes:
• Housing and Basic Infrastructure: Innovations in low-cost, sustainable housing materials and construction techniques; strategies for incremental upgrading of water, sanitation, and energy infrastructure.
• Climate Resilience and Adaptation: Community-based strategies for adapting to climate risks such as flooding and heat stress; the role of green infrastructure and nature-based solutions in enhancing resilience.
• Health and Well-being: Analysis of environmental health risks within settlements and interventions aimed at reducing exposure to pollutants and improving access to healthcare.
• Community and Planning: The role of participatory planning processes in slum upgrading projects; examining the effectiveness of community-led initiatives and institutional frameworks that support resident empowerment.
This Collection aims to foster a multidisciplinary dialogue, highlighting integrated approaches that bridge the gap between top-down policies and bottom-up community action. By showcasing evidence-based innovations and critically assessing existing challenges, we intend to provide a valuable resource for academics, policymakers, and practitioners dedicated to creating more equitable, resilient, and habitable cities for all.
Keywords: informal settlements; urban slums; global south; Sustainable Development; housing environment; infrastructure.
This Collection supports and amplifies research related to SDG 11.
Publishing Model: Open Access
Deadline: Mar 15, 2027
