Select papers and readings by region and topic
By Region
Africa Peterson, George and Patricia Clarke Annez (eds). 2007. Financing Cities: Fiscal Responsibility and Urban Infrastructure in Brazil, China, India, Poland and South Africa.
Abstract
Urbanization is not a side effect of economic growth; it is an integral part of the process. While creating tremendous economic opportunities, urbanization also makes demands for infrastructure investment that can unbalance government budgets and stymie growth at the macro level. How can the goal of increasing public investment in urban infrastructure be reconciled with the need for prudent fiscal management? Different countries have approached this challenge in different ways -- from tight central controls on local investment to decentralized fiscal choice. Their experiences are recounted and assessed in this book -- from the perspective both of central government fiscal managers and local government officials who must provide infrastructure services to their citizens. The chapters compare the approaches taken by Brazil, China, India, Poland, and South Africa and examine the fiscal implications of different infrastructure financing options. The book offers a rare perspective on intergovernmental policy design and the politics of policy implementation. Bahl, Roy and Paul Smoke. 2003. Restructuring Local Government Finance in Developing Countries: Lessons from South Africa. Edward Elgar Pub. UN-HABITAT. 1998. Privatization of Municipal Services in East Africa - A Governance Approach to Human Settlements Management. UN-HABITAT. 1998. Financing Cities for Sustainable Development - With Specific Reference to East Africa.
East Asia and Pacific Peterson, George and Patricia Clarke Annez (eds). 2007. Financing Cities: Fiscal Responsibility and Urban Infrastructure in Brazil, China, India, Poland and South Africa.
Abstract
Urbanization is not a side effect of economic growth; it is an integral part of the process. While creating tremendous economic opportunities, urbanization also makes demands for infrastructure investment that can unbalance government budgets and stymie growth at the macro level. How can the goal of increasing public investment in urban infrastructure be reconciled with the need for prudent fiscal management? Different countries have approached this challenge in different ways -- from tight central controls on local investment to decentralized fiscal choice. Their experiences are recounted and assessed in this book -- from the perspective both of central government fiscal managers and local government officials who must provide infrastructure services to their citizens. The chapters compare the approaches taken by Brazil, China, India, Poland, and South Africa and examine the fiscal implications of different infrastructure financing options. The book offers a rare perspective on intergovernmental policy design and the politics of policy implementation. - Institute for International Cooperation (JICA). 2001. Government Decentralization Reforms in Developing Countries.
Abstract: The wave of decentralization of governments throughout the world since the end of the Cold War has fostered decentralization as a theme of political importance in many developing countries. This movement has the power to dramatically change the relationships between the central and local institutions in such countries. These relationships are a fundamental aspect of a state’s institutional framework, along with an independent legislature, executive branch and judiciary. For those who are in charge of development assistance, decentralization itself is a new area for assistance; moreover, it requires us to re-examine existing assistance policies. Asian Development Bank. 2000. Managing Urban Change: Strategic Options for Municipal Governance and Finance In the People's Republic of China Roy W. Bahl, Jr. 1999. Fiscal Policy in China: Taxation and Intergovernmental Fiscal Relations. International Studies Program Working Papers Series, Georgia State University.
Abstract: In Taxation Reform in China, Roy Bahl dissects and analyzes China's 1994 tax reform as a case study of a major developing country attempting to modernize its fiscal system. Starting with an examination of the fundamental question of whether Chinese taxes are too low, it goes on to analyze the reform of the country's tax structure, tax administration, central-provincial fiscal relations, and provincial-local fiscal relations. The concluding chapter looks to the next steps in tax reform. Throughout, the book features a large amount of quantitative analysis and draws parallels with the reform options followed in other economies.
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Eastern and Central Europe Peterson, George and Patricia Clarke Annez (eds). 2007. Financing Cities: Fiscal Responsibility and Urban Infrastructure in Brazil, China, India, Poland and South Africa.
Abstract
Urbanization is not a side effect of economic growth; it is an integral part of the process. While creating tremendous economic opportunities, urbanization also makes demands for infrastructure investment that can unbalance government budgets and stymie growth at the macro level. How can the goal of increasing public investment in urban infrastructure be reconciled with the need for prudent fiscal management? Different countries have approached this challenge in different ways -- from tight central controls on local investment to decentralized fiscal choice. Their experiences are recounted and assessed in this book -- from the perspective both of central government fiscal managers and local government officials who must provide infrastructure services to their citizens. The chapters compare the approaches taken by Brazil, China, India, Poland, and South Africa and examine the fiscal implications of different infrastructure financing options. The book offers a rare perspective on intergovernmental policy design and the politics of policy implementation. Gönenç, Rauf and Peter Walkenhorst. 2004. Rationalising Public Expenditure in the Slovak Republic. Economics Department Working Paper 384, OECD.
Abstract: Over the past decade, public expenditure in Slovakia was characterised by substantial social transfers and high public sector wage expenses. This paper analyses the main features of Slovakia’s public expenditure system, reviews expenditure trends, and discusses recent reform initiatives. The latter have concerned the introduction of medium-term budget projections, the switch towards performance-based budgeting, the limitation of extra-budgetary funds, the devolution of spending power to sub-central administrative units, changes to the public employment regime, and reforms of the social security system. These initiatives are critically assessed and a number of recommendations concerning implementation and further reform steps are developed. Yilmaz, Serdar, Jozsef Hegedus and Michael E. Bell. 2003. Subnational Data Requirements for Fiscal Decentralization : Case Studies from Central and Eastern Europe. World Bank. Ott, Katarina, Anto Bajo and Mihaela Pitarević. 2003. Fiscal Decentralization in Croatia. Institute of Public Finance. Local Government and Public Service Reform Initiative (LGI). 2003. Assignments of Responsibilities to Different Levels of Government in Countries of Central Asia: Prospects for Further Development. Open Society Institute, Budapest. Slukhai, Sergii. 2003. Dilemmas and Compromises: Fiscal Equalization In Transition Countries. Open Society Institute, Budapest. Local Government and Public Service Reform Initiative (LGI). 2003. Legal Status of Local Self-Governments in Central Asian States: Key Issues. Open Society Institute, Budapest. Davey, Kenneth. 2002. Fiscal Autonomy and Efficiency: Reforms in the Former Soviet Union. Open Society Institute, Budapest. Nam, Chang Woon. 2002. Municipal Finance in Selected European Transition Economies: Institutional Framework and Recent Development. Peteri, Gabor. 2002. Mastering Decentralization and Public Administration Reforms in Central and Eastern Europe. Open Society Institute, Budapest.
Abstract: The studies and country reports in the book focus on elements and techniques of decentralization and public administration reforms. Ultimately the effectiveness of these methods can be measured by the success of reform efforts. The general conclusion of these wide ranging and diverse reforms is that there is no one single solution or model, that works even in the similar group of countries studied in the book (Croatia, Slovakia, Bulgaria, Latvia, Hungary, Poland). Horvath, Tamas. 2000. Decentralization: Experiments and Reforms. Local Governments in Central and Eastern Europe. Open Society Institute, Budapest.
Abstract: The book is an attempt to assess the most important elements of local government systems, to present the similarities and differences in the existing models of eight countries of Central and Eastern Europe (CEE). The intention is not only to present systemic information, but also to analyze and evaluate internal processes. In this way local government structures can be better understood and compared. This information and analysis will be an important building block for the gradual development of local governments. Countries following different patterns might learn from this information on local models. Hogye, Mihaly. 2000. Local and Regional Tax Administration in Transition Countries. Open Society Institute, Budapest.
Abstract: Analyzes the state of affairs in local and regional tax administrations in five Central and Eastern European countries, then goes on to make an international comparison between them using the experiences of Western European tax administrations, different country studies, theoretical models, and extensive empirical research. Locsmándi, Gábor, Gábor Péteri and Béla Varga-Ötvös. 2000. Urban Planning and Capital Investment Financing in Hungary. Open Society Institute, Budapest. Csanda, Ondrej. 2000. Experiences with Self-Governments and their Financing in Slovakia. Open Society Institute, Budapest. Bryson, Phil and Gary C. Cornia. 2000. Fiscal Decentralization and the Property Tax. Open Society Institute, Budapest. Bucek, Milan. 2000. New Trends in Regional Development and their Financial Base. Open Society Institute, Budapest. Kungla, Tarvo.1999. Fiscal Decentralization in Estonia. Open Society Institute, Budapest. Local Government and Public Reform Initiative (LGI). 1999. Fiscal Design Across Levels of Government. Open Society Institute, Budapest. Fiscal Decentralization Initiative for Central and Eastern Europe.1999. Handbook for Analyzing and Documenting the Urban Economic Base. Open Society Institute, Budapest.
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Latin America and the Caribbean Peterson, George and Patricia Clarke Annez (eds). 2007. Financing Cities: Fiscal Responsibility and Urban Infrastructure in Brazil, China, India, Poland and South Africa.
Abstract
Urbanization is not a side effect of economic growth; it is an integral part of the process. While creating tremendous economic opportunities, urbanization also makes demands for infrastructure investment that can unbalance government budgets and stymie growth at the macro level. How can the goal of increasing public investment in urban infrastructure be reconciled with the need for prudent fiscal management? Different countries have approached this challenge in different ways -- from tight central controls on local investment to decentralized fiscal choice. Their experiences are recounted and assessed in this book -- from the perspective both of central government fiscal managers and local government officials who must provide infrastructure services to their citizens. The chapters compare the approaches taken by Brazil, China, India, Poland, and South Africa and examine the fiscal implications of different infrastructure financing options. The book offers a rare perspective on intergovernmental policy design and the politics of policy implementation. - Giugale, Marcelo, Adam Korobow and Steven Webb. 2000. A new model for Market-based Regulation of Subnational Borrowing: The Mexican Approach. Policy Research Working Paper 2370, World Bank.
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South Asia Peterson, George and Patricia Clarke Annez (eds). 2007. Financing Cities: Fiscal Responsibility and Urban Infrastructure in Brazil, China, India, Poland and South Africa.
Abstract
Urbanization is not a side effect of economic growth; it is an integral part of the process. While creating tremendous economic opportunities, urbanization also makes demands for infrastructure investment that can unbalance government budgets and stymie growth at the macro level. How can the goal of increasing public investment in urban infrastructure be reconciled with the need for prudent fiscal management? Different countries have approached this challenge in different ways -- from tight central controls on local investment to decentralized fiscal choice. Their experiences are recounted and assessed in this book -- from the perspective both of central government fiscal managers and local government officials who must provide infrastructure services to their citizens. The chapters compare the approaches taken by Brazil, China, India, Poland, and South Africa and examine the fiscal implications of different infrastructure financing options. The book offers a rare perspective on intergovernmental policy design and the politics of policy implementation. Khemani, Stuti.2002. Federal Politics and Budget Deficits: Evidence from the States of India. Working Paper no. 2915, World Bank
Abstract: This paper tests two predictions implied by models of the common-pool game in federations where subnational governments are more likely to have higher deficits because they do not internalize the macroeconomic effects of fiscal profligacy. The first is that subnational governments that belong to the same political party as the central government have lower spending and deficits because they are more likely to be influenced to internalize the macroeconomic effects of additional local spending; and the second is that subnational governments that are more dependent on intergovernmental transfers have higher spending and deficits. We find that in 15 major states of India over the period 1972-1995, states in fact have substantially higher spending and deficits (higher by about 10 percent of the sample average) when their government belongs to the same party as that governing at the center; and that intergovernmental grants tend to have a counter-intuitive negative effect on spending and deficits. The additional deficit of affiliated states is financed almost entirely by additional loans from the central government (as opposed to the market) leading to our interpretation that similar political considerations influence the distribution of deficits across states as they do other intergovernmental grants. We argue that the evidence from India, contrasted with broader international evidence, indicates that the effect of fiscal institutions in a federation is sensitive to underlying political incentives. This underscores the overall importance of political institutions in determining the consolidated government deficit, relative to specific rules of intergovernmental transfers. Khadka, Rup. 2002. Municipal Finance in Nepal with Special Reference to Taxation. UNDP-World Bank Water and Sanitation Program. 1999. Dialogue with Operational Staff Improvements in Municipal Management & Finance: Case Study of Four Medium Sized Cities in Southern Punjab. Asaduzzaman, M. 1998. Municipal Finance in Non-metropolitan Towns: An Agenda for Policy Action. Bangladesh Institute of Development Studies, Research Report Series Westfall, Matthew S. and Victoria A. de Villa (eds.). 2001. Urban Indicators for Managing Cities, Cities Data Book, Asian Development Bank, Manila.
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By Topic
General Matsukawa, Tomoko and Odo Habeck. 2007. Review of Risk Mitigation Instruments for Infrastructure Financing and Recent Trends and Developments.
Abstract
Raising debt and equity capital to finance projects in developing countries remains a challenge. There is an increasing interest in using risk mitigation instruments to facilitate the mobilization of private capital to finance public and private projects, particularly in those infrastructure sectors in which financing requirements substantially exceed budgetary or internal resources. Risk mitigation instruments are financial instruments that transfer certain defined risks from project financiers (lenders and equity investors) to creditworthy third parties (guarantors and insurers) that have a better capacity to accept such risks. These instruments are especially useful for developing country governments and local infrastructure entities that are not sufficiently creditworthy or do not have a proven track record in the eyes of private financiers to be able to borrow debt or attract private investments without support. Peterson, George and Patricia Clarke Annez (eds). 2007. Financing Cities: Fiscal Responsibility and Urban Infrastructure in Brazil, China, India, Poland and South Africa.
Abstract
Urbanization is not a side effect of economic growth; it is an integral part of the process. While creating tremendous economic opportunities, urbanization also makes demands for infrastructure investment that can unbalance government budgets and stymie growth at the macro level. How can the goal of increasing public investment in urban infrastructure be reconciled with the need for prudent fiscal management? Different countries have approached this challenge in different ways -- from tight central controls on local investment to decentralized fiscal choice. Their experiences are recounted and assessed in this book -- from the perspective both of central government fiscal managers and local government officials who must provide infrastructure services to their citizens. The chapters compare the approaches taken by Brazil, China, India, Poland, and South Africa and examine the fiscal implications of different infrastructure financing options. The book offers a rare perspective on intergovernmental policy design and the politics of policy implementation. Joumard, Isabelle and Per Mathis Kongsrud. 2003. Fiscal Relations Across Government Levels.
Abstract
Despite its apparent advantages, devolution of fiscal responsibilities has not proceeded evenly over the past two decades. Decentralisation can strengthen the democratic process, allow governments to tailor the supply of public goods to local preferences and introduce some competition across jurisdictions, thus raising public sector efficiency. It can, however, entail efficiency losses, and make it difficult to implement redistributive policies and complicate macroeconomic management. On the spending side, local provision may fail to exploit economies of scale and internalise territorial spillovers a serious issue since few public goods are purely local by nature. On the revenue side, few tax bases can be exploited by subnational governments without risking making national objectives difficult to achieve and raising serious distributive concerns. This paper, which is largely based on country experiences in mitigating the potential drawbacks of decentralisation while obtaining most of its benefits, provides a framework for assessing fiscal relations across levels of government. Bird, Richard, Bernard Dafflon, Claude Jeanrenaud and Gebhard Kirchgässner. 2002. Assignment of Responsibilities and Fiscal Federalism.
Abstract
Over the past thirty years, a clear trend has emerged worldwide towards the decentralization of spending and revenue-raising responsibilities to sub-national levels of government (states, regions, provinces, cantons, Länder) and to the third tier (the local, communal, municipal level). For Ter-Minassian (1997, 3), “this trend is evident not only in federal, but also in many unitary countries, including some that have a long tradition of centralist government”. Political developments in post-communist Central and Eastern Europe (the countries in Transition and the Balkans), together with recent discussions in the European Union, and new trends in Latin America, Asia and Africa, show that this tendency does indeed exist worldwide. Decentralization requires us to rethink the role and responsibilities of the various government layers in relation to the traditional policy objectives of allocation, distribution and stabilization. Fiscal federalism can no longer be accepted solely as an “economically efficient” means of providing and financing public services. Decentralization can more effectively promote democratic and participatory forms of government, seeking to improve the responsiveness and accountability of politicians and bureaucrats, and to ensure closer correspondence of the basket of publicly provided goods and services with the preferences of beneficiaries and taxpayers in the various sub-central jurisdictions. Carried out efficiently, fiscal federalism or fiscal decentralization can provide an alternative to the market as a way of promoting the coincidence between the three circles of budgetary policy: those who decide, those who benefit, and those who pay. Dafflon, Bernard and F. Vaillancourt. 2002. Problems of Equalisation in Federal Systems, in Federalism in a Changing World - Learning from Each Other. Bach, Stefan and Dieter Vesper. 2002. A Crisis in Finance and Investment - Local Government Finance Needs Fundamental Reform, Economic Bulletin / Deutsches Institut Fur Wirtschaftsforschung (Germany); 39, No. 9:309-16. Erickson, Merle, Austan Goolsbee and Edward Maydew. 2002. How Prevalent is Tax Arbitrage? Evidence from the Market for Municipal Bonds, National Bureau Of Economic Research, Working Paper Series No. 9105:1-[20]. Fjeldstad, Odd-Helge. 2001. Intergovernmental Fiscal Relations in Developing Countries : A Review of Issues
Abstract
Fiscal decentralisation - the devolution of taxing and spending powers to lower levels of government - has become an important theme of governance in many developing countries in recent years. Accordingly, restructuring of governmental functions and finances between the national and lower levels of government has entered the core of the development debate. A general conclusion emerging from this review of theoretical and empirical literature on intergovernmental fiscal relations is that sub-national governments need to be given access to adequate resources to do the job with which they are entrusted. At the same time they must also be accountable for what they do with these resources. Moreover, like all public policies, intergovernmental fiscal policies must take into account both the political constraints facing policy makers, such as the strength of different provinces and groups in political decisions, and economic constraints such as the stage of development of financial markets. Noel, Michel. 2000. Building Subnational Debt Markets in Developing and Transition Economies: A Framework for Analysis, Policy Reform, and Assistance Strategy. Bird, Richard and Frangois Vaillancourt. 1999. Fiscal Decentralization in Developing Countries.
Abstract
Recent years have seen an increasing trend in worldwide fiscal decentralization. In particular, many developing countries are turning to various forms of fiscal decentralization as an escape from inefficient and ineffective governance, macroeconomic stability, and inadequate growth. Fiscal Decentralization in Developing Countries: An Overview edited by Professors Bird and Vaillancourt and featuring important, original and up-to-date research from leading scholars assesses the progress, problems and potentials of fiscal decentralisation in a variety of developing countries around the world. With rich and varied case-study material from countries as diverse as India, China, Colombia, Bosnia-Herzegovina and South Africa this volume complements neatly the recent collection Fiscal Aspects of Evolving Federations edited by David Wildasin and also published by Cambridge, which presented theoretical advances in the area of research Crowder, William J. and Mark E. Wohar. 1999. The Changing Long-Run Linkage Between Yields on Treasury and Municipal Bonds and the 1986 Tax Act, Review of Financial Economics; 8, No. 2:101-19. Leigland, James and Rosalind H. Thomas. 1999. Municipal Bonds as Alternatives to PPPs: Facilitating Direct Municipal Access to Private Capital, Development Southern Africa 16, No. 4:729-50. USAID.1997. Municipal Bond Market Development in Developing Countries: The Experience of the U.S. Agency for International Development.
Abstract
This report is a summary of the experiences of USAID in the development of municipal bond markets, and in the development of more general market-based municipal finance systems, in eight countries: the Czech Republic, India, Indonesia, the Philippines, Poland, Russia, South Africa, and Zimbabwe. Although the experiences represented vary greatly in terms of longevity, focus, and results, as a whole they present a rich and fairly complete picture of the range of issues being confronted in the field of emerging market municipal finance. The extent of these activities varies from India and Indonesia, where activities leading to bond market development have been carried out for several years; to South Africa, where assistance has focused on restarting and reorganizing an existing market to the reflect the realities of the post-apartheid era; to Zimbabwe, where activities to date have been largely diagnostic.
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Institutional Capacity - Bahl, Roy. 1999.Implementation Rules for Fiscal Decentralization. Working Paper #10. International Studies Program, School of Policy Studies, Georgia State University.
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- Bailey, James. 1994.Charging for Local Government Services: A Coherent Philosophy. In Public Administration, Vol. 72. Basil Blackwell Ltd., Oxford, U.K.
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- Bird, Richard M., and Thomas Tsiopoulos. 1995.User Charges for Public Services: Potentials and Problems.Canadian Tax Journal. Toronto, Canada.
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- Cointreau-Levine, Sandra. 1994.Private Sector Participation in Municipal Solid Waste Services in Developing Countries.Urban Management Programme # 13. The World Bank, Washington, D.C.
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- Dillinger, William. 1994.Decentralization and Its Implications For Urban Service Delivery.Urban Management Programme #16. The World Bank, Washington, D.C.
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- Fox, William F. 1994.Strategic Options For Urban Infrastructure Management.Urban Management Programme #17. The World Bank, Washington, D.C.
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- Glasser, Matthew D., Thomas H. Cochran, Michael DeAngelis, Marlene Hesketh, Ronald W. Johnson, Christiann Johannes Kapp, John E. Petersen, and K.P.S. Roome. 1999.Formulation of a Regulatory Framework For Municipal Borrowing in South Africa. Final Report.Research Triangle Institute. Washington, D.C.
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- King, Stephen and Rodney Maddock. 1996.Unlocking the Infrastructure. The Reform of Public Utilities in Australia. Southwood Press Pty Ltd., Sydney, Australia.
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- Litvack, Jennie and Jessica Seddon. 1999.Decentralization Briefing Notes.In World Bank Institute (WBI) Working Papers. The World Bank, Washington, D.C.
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- Litvack, Jennie, Junaid Ahmad and Richard Bird. 1998.Rethinking Decentralization in Developing Countries.The World Bank, Washington, D.C.
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- Peterson, George E. 1998.The National Framework For Local Credit Markets. The World Bank, Washington, D.C.
Abstract - Spahn, Paul Bernd. 1997.Decentralized Government and Macroeconomic Control.In Infrastructure Notes, Urban No. FM-12. The World Bank, Washington, D.C.
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- Water and Sanitation Division and World Bank Institute (WBI). 1999.The Private Sector in Water Competition and Regulation. Prepared for WBI. The World Bank, Washington, D.C.
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- Yepes, Guillermo and Augusta Dianderas. 1996.Water and Wastewater Utilities: Indicators, 2nd Edition. Water and Sanitation Division. The World Bank, Washington, D.C.
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Financial Management and Creditworthiness Shah, Anwar. 2008. Dividing Taxes, Resources and Debt in Federations. Rethinking Fiscal Federalism.
Abstract
Fiscal federalism deals with economic decision-making in federal systems of government in which public sector decisions are taken by various orders of government. Federal countries differ a great deal in their choices about the character of fiscal federalism, specifically, how the division of fiscal powers is allocated among various tiers and the associated fiscal arrangements. Peterson, George and Patricia Clarke Annez (eds). 2007. Financing Cities: Fiscal Responsibility and Urban Infrastructure in Brazil, China, India, Poland and South Africa.
Abstract
Urbanization is not a side effect of economic growth; it is an integral part of the process. While creating tremendous economic opportunities, urbanization also makes demands for infrastructure investment that can unbalance government budgets and stymie growth at the macro level. How can the goal of increasing public investment in urban infrastructure be reconciled with the need for prudent fiscal management? Different countries have approached this challenge in different ways -- from tight central controls on local investment to decentralized fiscal choice. Their experiences are recounted and assessed in this book -- from the perspective both of central government fiscal managers and local government officials who must provide infrastructure services to their citizens. The chapters compare the approaches taken by Brazil, China, India, Poland, and South Africa and examine the fiscal implications of different infrastructure financing options. The book offers a rare perspective on intergovernmental policy design and the politics of policy implementation. - FitchRatings. 2007. Can the 'BB' Latin American Sovereigns Achieve Investment Grade?
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In this special report, Fitch Ratings explores the constraints likely to hinder some of the higher-rated speculative-grade Latin American (Latam) sovereigns from reaching investment-grade (IG) status in the near term.
- Abrahams, Mark, Francis Conway, Peter Tatian, Zdena Matouskvoa, and Jiri Mejstrik. 1996.Credit Finance Analysis: Handbook for Municipalities in Czech Republic. The Urban Institute, Washington, D.C.
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- Bahl, Roy. 1999.Intergovernmental Transfers in Developing and Transition Countries: Principles and Practice. Prepared for The World Bank. Washington, D.C.
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- Bahl, Roy and Barbara D. Miller (edited by). 1983.Local Government Finance in the Third World: A Case Study of the Philippines.Praeger Publishers. U.S.
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- Bahl, Roy and Johannes F. Linn. 1992.Urban Public Finance in Developing Countries.Oxford University Press, Published for the World Bank.
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- Bird, Richard M., 1999.Setting the Stage: Municipal Finance and Intergovernmental Finance. The World Bank. Financing of Urban Services Seminar. Unpublished.
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- Campos, Ed and Sanjay Pradhan. 1996.The Impact of Budgetary Institutions on Expenditure Outcomes: Binding Governments to Fiscal Performance.The World Bank.
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- Coe, Charles K., 1989.Public Financial Management.Prentice Hall, Englewood Cliffs, New Jersey.
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- Cointreau-Levine, Sandra. 1994.Private Sector Participation in Municipal Solid Waste Services in Developing Countries.Urban Management Programme # 13. The World Bank, Washington, D.C.
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- Dillinger, William. 1992.Urban Property Tax Reform: Guidelines and Recommendations. Urban Management Programme, #1. The World Bank, Washington, D.C.
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- Fox, William F. 1994.Strategic Options For Urban Infrastructure Management.Urban Management Programme #17. The World Bank, Washington, D.C.
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- Gauthier, Stephen J., 1996.The GAAFR Review – Guide to GASB Pronouncements.Government Finance Officers Association. Chicago, IL.
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- Glasser, Matthew D., Thomas H. Cochran, Michael DeAngelis, Marlene Hesketh, Ronald W. Johnson, Christiann Johannes Kapp, John E. Petersen, and K.P.S. Roome. 1999.Formulation of a Regulatory Framework For Municipal Borrowing in South Africa. Final Report.Research Triangle Institute. Washington, D.C.
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- Groves, Sanford M. and Maureen Godsey Valente. 1994.Evaluating Financial Condition: A Handbook for Local Government. International City/Council Management Association (ICMA). Washington, D.C.
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- Kaganova, Olga, Ritu Nayyar-Stone, Sally Merrill and George Peterson. 1999.Municipal Real Property Asset Management: An Overview of World Experience, Issues, Financial Implications and Housing. Prepared for the World Bank by The Urban Institute. Washington, D.C.
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- Kehew, Robert, Tomoko Matsukawa and John Petersen. 2005.Local Financing for Sub-Sovereign Infrastructure in Developing Countries: Case Studies of Innovative Domestic Credit Enhancement Entities and Techniques.Discussion Paper No. 1, Infrastructure, Economics and Finance Department. The World Bank, Washington, D.C.
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- Litvack, Jennie and Jessica Seddon. 1999.Decentralization Briefing Notes.In World Bank Institute (WBI) Working Papers. The World Bank, Washington, D.C.
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- McMaster, James. 1994.Urban Financial Management: A Training Manual.The World Bank, Washington, D.C.
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- National Asset Management Steering Group. 1998New Zealand Insfrastructure Asset Management Manual. New Zealand Insfrastructure Asset Managment Manual.
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- Nayyar-Stone, Ritu. 1999.Budget Reference Manual for Bulgaria.The Urban Institute, Washington, D.C.
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- Petersen, John E, and John B. Crihfield. 1998.Linkages Between Local Governments and Financial Markets: A Toolkit to Developing Subsovereign Credit Markets in Emerging Markets.Prepared for The World Bank by Government Finance Group. Arlington, Virginia.
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- Peterson, George E. 1998.Measuring Local Government Credit Risk and Improving Creditworthiness. Prepared for The World Bank, Washington, D.C.
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- Peterson, George, G. Thomas Kingsley, and Jeffrey P. Telegarsky. 1994.Multi-sectoral Investment Planning. UNDP/UNCHS (Habitat)/World Bank Urban Management Programme, Working Paper Series 3, Nairobi, Kenya.
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- Schaeffer, Michael. 2000.Municipal Budgeting Toolkit.The World Bank, Washington, D.C.Abstract | Full Text
- Water and Sanitation Division and World Bank Institute (WBI). 1999.The Private Sector in Water Competition and Regulation. Prepared for WBI. The World Bank, Washington, D.C.
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- Worley International Ltd.Strategic Municipal Asset Management Advisory Note. Prepared for The World Bank. Auckland, New Zealand.
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- Yepes, Guillermo and Augusta Dianderas. 1996.Water and Wastewater Utilities: Indicators, 2nd Edition. Water and Sanitation Division. The World Bank, Washington, D.C.
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Local Government Investments and Access to Markets - Darche, Benjamin. 1997.Financing Mechanisms at the Subnational Level in Emerging Markets Borrowings and Privatizations/Concessions.In Infrastructure Notes, Urban No. FM-9. The World Bank. Washington, D.C.
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- El Daher, Samir. 1999.Credit Ratings--An Introduction (and the Case of Sub-sovereign Ratings).In Infrastructure Notes, Urban No. FM-8c. The World Bank. Washington, D.C.
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- El Daher, Samir. 1998.Municipal Bond Markets--Prospects for Developing Countries.In Infrastructure Notes, Urban No. FM-8b. The World Bank. Washington, D.C.
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- El Daher, Samir. 1997.Municipal Bond Markets--Experience of the USA.In Infrastructure Notes, Urban No. FM-8a. The World Bank. Washington, D.C.
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- Glasser, Matthew D., Thomas H. Cochran, Michael DeAngelis, Marlene Hesketh, Ronald W. Johnson, Christiann Johannes Kapp, John E. Petersen, and K.P.S. Roome. 1999.Formulation of a Regulatory Framework For Municipal Borrowing in South Africa. Final Report.Research Triangle Institute. Washington, D.C.
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- Kehew, Robert, Tomoko Matsukawa and John Petersen. 2005. Local Financing for Sub-Sovereign Infrastructure in Developing Countries: Case Studies of Innovative Domestic Credit Enhancement Entities and Techniques. Discussion Paper No. 1, Infrastructure, Economics and Finance Department. The World Bank, Washington, D.C.
Full Text - Kumar, Anjali, R. David Gray, Mangesh Hoskote, Stephan von Klaudy, and Jeff Ruster. 1997.Mobilizing Domestic Capital Markets For Infrastructure Financing: International Experience and Lessons For China.World Bank Discussion Paper No. 377. The World Bank, Washington, D.C.
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- Leigland, James. 1997.Accelerating Municipal Bond Market Development in Emerging Economies: An Assessment of Strategies and Progress.Research Triangle Institute. Washington, D.C.
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- Petersen, John E, and John B. Crihfield. 1998.Linkages Between Local Governments and Financial Markets: A Toolkit to Developing Subsovereign Credit Markets in Emerging Economies.Prepared for The World Bank by Government Finance Group. Arlington, Virginia.
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Role of Financial Intermediation for Local Governments - Cochran, Thomas H., Michael Schaeffer, Kenneth R. Von Der Heiden. 1997.Achieving a Vibrant South African Municipal Securities Market. The Urban Institute, Washington, D.C.
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- Dalla, Ismail, et al. 1995.The Emerging Asian Bond Market.The World Bank. East Asia and Pacific Region, Washington, D.C.
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- El Daher, Samir. 2000.Specialized Financial Intermediaries for Local Governments — A Market-based Tool for Local Infrastructure Finance.In Infrastructure Notes, Urban No. FM-8d. The World Bank. Washington, D.C.
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- Gilbert, Mark and Richard Pike.Credit Enhancement of Municipal Debt. Canadian Public Administration, Volume 38, No. 2. Ottawa, Canada.
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- Government Finance Group.An Analysis of State Bond Banks. Council of Infrastructure Financing Authorities, CIFA Monograph No. 9. Washington, D.C.
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- Irwin, Timothy, Michael Klein, Guillermo E. Perry, and Mateen Thobani. 1997.Dealing with Public Risk in Private Infrastructure. The World Bank, Washington, D.C.
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- Kehew, Robert, Tomoko Matsukawa and John Petersen. 2005. Local Financing for Sub-Sovereign Infrastructure in Developing Countries: Case Studies of Innovative Domestic Credit Enhancement Entities and Techniques. Discussion Paper No. 1, Infrastructure, Economics and Finance Department. The World Bank, Washington, D.C.
Full Text - Kumar, Anjali, R. David Gray, Manges Hoskote, Stephan von Klaudy, and Jeff Ruster. 1997.Mobilizing Domestic Capital Markets for Infrastructure Financing: International Experience and Lessons for China. World Bank Discussion Paper No. 377. The World Bank, Washington, D.C.
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- Petersen, John E. 2004. Decentralized Credit Financing of Infrastructure in Developing Countries: An Assessment of Techniques. The World Bank, Washington, D.C.
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- Peterson, George E. 1997.Building Local Credit Systems. The World Bank, Washington, D.C.
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- Peterson, George E. 1996.Using Municipal Develpment Funds to Build Municipal Credit Markets. Prepared for the Government of India and The World Bank. Washington, D.C.
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- Peterson, George E. 1998.Measuring Local Government Credit Risk and Improving Creditworthiness. Prepared for The World Bank, Washington, D.C.
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- Spahn, Paul Bernd. 1997.Decentralized Government and Macroeconomic Control.In Infrastructure Notes, Urban No. FM-12. The World Bank, Washington, D.C.
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Links to Capital Market Infrastructure - El Daher, Samir. 1999.Credit Ratings—An Introduction (and the Case of Sub-sovereign Ratings).In Infrastructure Notes, Urban No. FM-8c. The World Bank. Washington, D.C.
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- El Daher, Samir. 1998.Municipal Bond Markets—Prospects for Developing Countries.In Infrastructure Notes, Urban No. FM-8b. The World Bank. Washington, D.C.
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- El Daher, Samir. 1997.Municipal Bond Markets—Experience of the USA.In Infrastructure Notes, Urban No. FM-8a. The World Bank. Washington, D.C.
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- Freire, Maria E., Marcela Huertas, and Benjamin Darche. 1998.Sub-national Access to the Capital Markets: The Latin American Experience. Washington, D.C.
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- Glasser, Matthew D., Thomas H. Cochran, Michael DeAngelis, Marlene Hesketh, Ronald W. Johnson, Christiann Johannes Kapp, John E. Petersen, and K.P.S. Roome. 1999.Formulation of a Regulatory Framework For Municipal Borrowing in South Africa. Final Report.Research Triangle Institute. Washington, D.C.
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- Petersen, John E, and John B. Crihfield. 1998.Linkages Between Local Governments and Financial Markets: A Toolkit to Developing Subsovereign Credit Markets in Emerging Economies.Prepared for The World Bank by Government Finance Group. Arlington, Virginia.
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- Peterson, George E. 1998.Measuring Local Government Credit Risk and Improving Creditworthiness. Prepared for The World Bank, Washington, D.C.
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- Phelps, Pricilla M. 1997.Muncipal Bond Market Development in Developing Countries: The Experince of the U.S. Agency for International Development.Research Triange Institute. Washington, D.C.
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- Scheubler, Peter. 1996Participation and Partnership in Urban Infrastructure Management. UNDP/UNCHS (Habitat)/ World Bank Urban Management and Infrastructure Programme 19. The World Bank. Washington, D.C.
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- Water and Sanitation Division and World Bank Institute (WBI). 1999.The Private Sector in Water Competition and Regulation. Prepared for WBI. The World Bank, Washington, D.C.
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Municipal Governance and Management - Local Governance in Developing Countries Anwar Shah, Editor (2006).
This book provides a new institutional economics perspective on alternative models of local governance, offering a comprehensive view of local government organization and finance in the developing world. The experiences of ten developing/transition economies are reviewed to draw lessons of general interest in strengthening responsive, responsible, and accountable local governance. The book is written in simple user friendly language to facilitate a wider readership by policy makers and practitioners in addition to students and scholars of public finance, economics and politics.
Holistic City Strategy Development - The Role of Cities: A Macroeconomic Perspective.* (PPT 97 kb) Rakesh Mohan (2000).
This presentation explains the link between urbanization and development. As well as discussing the roles of government in the planning and management of cities and of markets in financing cities, it emphasizes the increasing importance of cities and provides suggestions on what can be done to further unleash their potentials in the new economy.
- The Principles of Governance and Management: Strategic Planning and Corporate Management.* (PDF 64 kb) Angela Griffin (2000).
In explaining the concepts and practices of urban governance and management, the paper cites the experience of New Zealand. It describes transparency, accountability and contestability as the key requirements to improve the performance of local governments. The paper also discusses the key features of strategic planning and city visioning which are essential processes toward good urban governance and management.
- Preparing an Economic and Strategic Vision for a City.* (PPT 89 kb) Nigel Harris (1999).
In analyzing the implications of globalization and decentralization for city management, this presentation also attempts to answer the question: What do we need to know about trends and the city economy? Its main argument is that city managers have to need to know much more about the economic strengths and weaknesses of their city to make its economic management and the political consensus underlying policy increasingly better informed, more precisely targeted, and more effective.
- Best Management Practices: The Case of Colombo, Sri Lanka.* (PDF 21 kb) Omar Kamil (2000).
This paper describes the types of innovations introduced in the City of Colombo which brought in a new culture, a new vision, and new dimensions in local governance. The success that has been achieved in Colombo to date owes much to its commitment to empowering all stakeholders to participate and take ownership of development initiatives in the city.
- Developing a City Vision for Palmerston North (New Zealand).* (PDF 1 Mb) Michael Willis (1999).
Palmerston North, New Zealand, has taken the initiative in deciding its future rather than be simply subject to either the whims of the central government or vicissitudes of globalization. The city has worked to take a strong hand in creating its own future rather than having it created for it by someone else, somewhere else. This paper describes the city's experience in grappling with the challenges of change and how it has endeavored to take a new approach to its responsibility of civic leadership. It outlines in detail the process it followed in producing its city vision.*
- Integration of Urban Transport and Urban Planning. * (PDF 115 kb) Robert Cervero (1999).
The direct relationship between urban transport and urban planning and how they can be integrated are examined in this paper. Using brief case examples from Curitiba (Brazil), Mexico City, and Jakarta (Indonesia), the paper highlights the institutional issues and the important dimensions involved in urban transport and land-use co-development.
- Transportation and Municipal Government.* (PDF 403 kb) John Flora (1999).
The five major challenges with regard to transportation policy involve increasing access and affordability, confronting the maintenance crisis, adjusting to changing global trade patterns, increasing responsiveness to consumers, and coping with rapid motorization. This paper examines these issues and cites international experiences in addressing them. Though perhaps no country has had complete success in the management of traffic and the environment, the paper argues that some solutions have been better than others, and these provide positive and negative lessons.
Community Participation - Participatory Budget: From Theory to Practice--The Experience of Porto Alegre.* (PPT 3.6 Mb) Victor Vergara and Odir Alberto P. Tonollier (1999).
This presentation demonstrates the benefits of participatory budgeting as a key integrity-building tool. Citing its application in Porto Alegre in Brazil, it details the dynamics of the participatory process and how this ensures broadbased representation and transparency in budget decision-making.
- New Urban Work in the 21st Century: Challenges for South Asia.* (PDF 103 kb) Nasser Munjee (2000).
This paper proposes options for predicting and managing urban change, placing emphasis on improving urban governance and infrastructure finance. In suggesting the urban agenda for South Asia, the paper sets out a number of principles which should govern urban work in the region in the new century. It stresses the importance of cities as engines of growth and the need for new institutional and participatory governance mechanisms to effectively respond to the demands of this growth.
Capacity Building - Transforming Cities into Outcome Enterprises...and Beyond: Achieving Quality Governance and Management.* (PDF 90 kb) John W. Thomas (2000).
Urban leaders must produce visible outcomes that improve urban welfare while dealing with multiple, often competing interests in a transparent, consultative, and accountable manner. Focusing on this fundamental challenge facing city governments, the paper examines the theory and practice of urban management in its attempt to find yardsticks to measure governments' performance and to identify strategies to help transform them into output-oriented enterprises.
- Performance Measurement.* (PDF 27 kb) Harry P. Hatry and Scott Bryant (1998).
This short paper introduces the potential of performance measurement as a means to improve service delivery. It describes the principal characteristics of the measurement process, what it entails, and how it is conducted.
- Indicator Tools for Assessment and Analysis of City Governance.* (PDF 182 kb) Leo Fonseka (2000).
Measuring the performance and effectiveness of urban institutions, mechanisms, and processes must receive utmost attention to promote good governance. The paper discusses the essential dimensions and elements of good governance, and attempts to enhance understanding of how to measure it. It also presents the key issues to consider when conducting a performance assessment of cities.
- Benchmarking as a Means of Improving Municipal Service Delivery.* (PDF 190 kb) Naved Hamid (2000).
Benchmarking is a technique which aims to stimulate improvement through comparisons of services, processes, and performance between organizations. This paper details how this technique was applied in six municipalities and how it helps identify potential for improvement and bring about change in these areas. It discusses challenges faced during implementation and how they were overcome.
- Towards Good Governance: Promoting Operational Efficiency and Accountability.* (PDF 61 kb) Lim Soo Ping (2000).
This paper outlines the basic principles and issues of good governance, focusing on the aspects of operational efficiency and accountability. Against these principles, it describes Singapore's governance practices and performance. The paper concludes by emphasizing the importance of appropriate administrative structure and systems, and a pervasive organizational culture that promotes quality service, is always ready in anticipating and making changes, and strives for excellence.
- Enhancing Institutional Capacities for Urban Management.* (PPT 401 kb) Vinod Tewari (2000).
This presentation discusses the urban management capacity building requirements of India and identifies the key areas for which training is needed. It emphasizes the importance of information technology and demonstrates how it can contribute towards improving urban management, citing the example of the use of GIS in Mirzapur, India, which has brought immediate improvements in service delivery as well as property reassessment in that city.
- Best Management Practices: The Case of Calcutta, India.* (PDF 59 kb) Asim Barman (2000).
Cities in the developing countries are increasingly faced with the pressure of improving existing urban service delivery and urban management performance but has inadequate resources to do so. This paper describes the reform measures adopted in the Calcutta Metropolitan Area of India in response to such challenges. These involve institutional capacity building, strengthening its revenue base, financial management innovations, and modern technology applications, among others.
- New Zealand Local Government On-Line.
New Zealand underwent major reform in 1989 reducing from over 800 local bodies to 80. The reform is regarded as one of the most innovative forms of local government which has improved efficiency and effectiveness in service delivery and financial management. At the same time it has markedly increased public participation in local government. Local Government On-Line is a resource for all local government practitioners and can be located on http://www.localgovt.co.nz/.
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