Municipalities' role in the green economy: The Gaza Strip example

The purpose of this research is to determine the level of the role of municipalities in contributing to the realization of a green economy in society in the Gaza Strip, to set forth the roles and activities of municipalities in the economic, social and environmental fields to contribute to the realization of the green economy in the Gaza Strip, and to find the most important obstacles with which the municipalities encounter. In this research, in which the descriptive approach was adopted, the first sample group consisted of 246 personnel who serve as undersecretary, director, deputy director, head of department, head of branch or section manager in five metropolitan municipalities in the Gaza Strip. The research tool applied on the first sample group consists of the questionnaire. In order to support and strengthen this research tool, the qualitative method has been applied on the second sample group consisting of 12 personnel working as director, deputy director, head of branch, head of department or section manager in the said municipalities. The research tool applied on this group is an in-depth interview. In order to interpret the questionnaire results and determine the obstacles with which municipalities encounter when they are realizing the green economy, the data obtained from individuals forming the subject of the sample have been analysed and qualitative patterns have been created. The most important findings of the research can be expressed as follows: 1. The practices of the municipalities in the Gaza Strip in three areas of the green economy are not sufficient for the realization of a green economy according to municipality's employees. 2. Activities and roles fulfilled by municipalities in economic, social and environmental fields to realize green economy are limited. 3. Based on the qualitative analysis of the data obtained through interviews performed with individuals forming the subject of the sample, there are many financial and human obstacles for the municipalities to achieve the green economy in the Gaza Strip. These obstacles are shown in the following sentence: The limitation of financial resources in the municipality and insufficient facilities of the municipality, the weakness of the existing policies and laws that support green practices and sustainable development, the employment of a small number of environmental experts in the organizational structures of the municipalities and the blockade has been imposed on the Gaza Strip for 14 years by Israel. The most important recommendations presented in the research as follows: 1. In order to realize the green practices that protect the environment and ensure development, the government should support the local organizations and municipalities by developing policies and laws that will support the transition towards a green economy. 2. Starting from the government, state institutions and local organizations up to the citizens, it is necessary to protect the environment and increase the awareness and culture of society. 3. Fiscal policies should be developed to provide tax incentives for some industries, companies and enterprises to encourage them to adopt environmental principles in production models such as solar energy projects. By lowering taxes collected from investors, wider audiences should be encouraged to invest in solar energy and other areas classified as environmentally friendly. 4. It is necessary to ensure full coordination between various ministries and local organizations such as the municipalities and to develop joint plans that will strengthen the relations between them and support the transition towards development and green economy. 5. Government agencies and advisory offices with the necessary competence, experience and opportunities should be established in order to tackle the green economy.