A Study to develop a framework to assess the effectiveness and efficiency of urban management in Jaffna urban areas

Abstract

This study analyses the key criteria influencing the effectiveness and efficiency of urban management systems within three urban areas: Jaffna Municipal Council (JMC), Chavakachcheri Urban Council (CUC), and Point Pedro Urban Council (PPUC). Effective and efficient urban management is achieved through the implementation of good governance practices and the assessment of key performance indicators (KPIs) that reflect the functionality of urban systems. A mixed-method approach was adopted, combining quantitative and qualitative analyses. The Full Permutation Polygon Synthetic Indicator (FPPSI) method was applied to evaluate and compare the identified criteria influencing urban management performance. The analysis revealed five key dimensions critical to effective urban management: urban planning and development, service delivery, economic development, environmental management, and governance and participation. The FPPSI results indicated that JMC exhibited the highest performance (FPPSI values: 0.90– 1.25), demonstrating strong planning and service delivery mechanisms. CUC achieved moderate scores (0.80–0.95), with notable gaps in infrastructure and economic reinvestment. PPUC showed lower values (0.70–0.85), reflecting weaknesses in environmental management and governance. The findings confirm that the FPPSI framework offers a data-driven and visual approach to assess urban management effectiveness, enabling policymakers to identify strengths, gaps, and improvement areas. The proposed framework can be adapted for other Sri Lankan municipalities to enhance decision-making, transparency, and sustainable urban governance.