This web page includes publications, research papers, notes, and other materials produced or commissioned by the World Bank. (In date order)
Designing Economic Instruments for the Environment in a Decentralized Fiscal System
Alm, James and Banzhaf, H. Spencer (2007)
DEC Policy Research Working Paper 4379
The World Bank
When external effects are important, markets will be inefficient, and economists have considered several broad classes of economic instruments to correct these inefficiencies. However, the standard economic analysis has tended to neglect important distinctions and interactions between the geographic scope of pollutants, the enforcement authority of various levels of government, and the fiscal responsibilities of the levels of government.
Managing the Coordination of Service Delivery in Metropolitan Cities: The Role of Metropolitan Governance
Slack, Enid (2007)
The World Bank
This paper examines different models of governing structure found in metropolitan areas around the world. It evaluates how well these models achieve the coordination of service delivery over the entire metropolitan area as well as the extent to which they result in the equitable sharing of costs of services. Also available: Annotated Bibliography About Urban Mega Regions: Knowns and Unknowns
Yusuf, Shahid (2007)
DEC Policy Research Working Paper 4252
The World Bank
This paper argues that metropolitan regions that are polycentric, relatively well-managed, and have invested heavily in transport infrastructure are able to contain some of the problems attendant upon a concentration of people and industry. During the next 15 years, mega urban economies could coalesce in three Southeast Asian locations: Bangkok, Jakarta and the Singapore- Iskander Development Region (IDR). This paper examines the gains from closer economic integration and the issues to be settled before it could occur.
Brazil - Sao Paulo : Inputs for a Sustainable Competitive City Strategy, Volume II
Background report (2007)
The World Bank
The report sets the stage for the Metropolitan Region of Sao Paulo’s recovery strategy. It underlies factors of the economic transition in the MRSP and focuses on such areas as fiscal performance and creditworthiness, investment climate, etc. In the Improving Institutional Partnership chapter it addresses inter-municipality cooperation, developing coordination: evidence from the transport sector, and current challenges and opportunities for improving governance in the MRSP.
Metropolitan Management Challenges in China
The World Bank (2006)
This is the initial phase of the Metropolitan Management Analytical and Advisory Assistance Program with the objective to take stock of key metropolitan challenges in China. Particular attention is paid to the subject of infrastructure service delivery at the metropolitan scale and the potential for further cross-jurisdictional coordination. Phase II of this work (2007-2008) is expected to focus on broad fields of land use, urban transport, and infrastructure service delivery. Case studies will be conducted in 3-5 selected metropolitan areas in China.
Will consolidation improve sub-national governments?
Fox, William F. and Gurley, Tami (2006)
Policy Research Working Paper 3913
The World Bank
This paper reviews the theoretical arguments and empirical findings concerning the optimal size of local governments. The authors evaluate the issue from a number of angles, including whether consolidation provides size economies in particular service areas, results in increased coordination of regional planning, and increases citizen satisfaction with government services. There is also a short discussion of recent experiences with consolidation in Jordan, Sudan, Latvia, Zimbabwe, and Canada.
China: Building institutions for sustainable urban transport
EASR Working Paper No.4 (2006)
The World Bank
The report examines the changing nature of urban transport problems in a broad context of urbanization and fiscal decentralization, and calls for the national government to re-define and strengthen its role in dealing with spill-over effects or urban transport problems.
Metropolitan Governance in China: Priorities for Action in the Context of Chinese Urban Dynamics and International Experience
Webster, Douglas, Cai, Jianming, Maneepong, Chuthatip (2006)
The World Bank
The paper reviews experience of eight selected metropolitan regions in developed countries of Unites States, Europe and East Asia, and draws lessons applicable to China. It identifies the status, key issues and policy responses for governing China’s metropolitan regions.
Metropolitan Management Challenges in China
The World Bank (2006)
This is the initial phase of the Metropolitan Management Analytical and Advisory Assistance Program with the objective to take stock of key metropolitan challenges in China. Particular attention is paid to the subject of infrastructure service delivery at the metropolitan scale and the potential for further cross-jurisdictional coordination. Phase II of this work (2007-2008) is expected to focus on broad fields of land use, urban transport, and infrastructure service delivery. Case studies will be conducted in 3-5 selected metropolitan areas in China.
Mobilizing urban infrastructure finance within a responsible fiscal framework : South African case
Van Ryneveld, Philip (2006)
WB Policy Research Working Paper 4042
The World Bank
The paper describes the overall framework and main characteristics of the current approach to mobilizing urban infrastructure finance. It also addresses the role of borrowing in the financing of the capital budgets of metropolitan councils for the City of Cape Town and Johannesburg. It concludes with the recommendation to pay more attention to mass urban transit systems as it has not yet been clarified how it will be financed within the inter-governmental system.
Unequal Development: Decentralization and Fiscal Disparities in the Metropolitan Zone of the Valley of Mexico
Raich, Uri (2006)
The World Bank
This study is about the impact of decentralization in metropolitan areas. Studies of fiscal decentralization have largely centered on the formal tiers of governments, without looking at the effects of this process on the recipient jurisdictions in metropolitan areas. This is an important omission, considering that more than 50 percent of the world's population lives in urban areas that often extended beyond formal jurisdictional boundaries. As a response, in this study the author incorporates the metropolitan dimension into the study of fiscal decentralization.
Local governance in developing countries
Shah, Anwar (2006)
The World Bank
This book traces the evolution of local governance in developing countries. It presents alternative models of local governance from various countries and develops a comparative institutional framework for responsive, responsible and accountable governance. It also includes 10 detailed case studies, which provide an in-depth view of local government organization and finance in South Africa, Uganda, China, India, Indonesia, Kazakhstan, Poland, Argentina, Brazil and Chile.
Metropolitan Regions: New Challenges for an Urbanizing China
Leman, Edward (2005)
The World Bank At some point during the 1970s, China passed the US to become the country with the largest number of urban residents in the world. Despite a long political and cultural bias against urbanization, marketoriented reforms since then have created conditions that will transform China into a predominantly urban nation early in the next decade. Experience in the last 15 years suggests that the bulk of this urbanization will continue to occur in and around over 50 expanding metropolitan regions, most of which now spill over municipal boundaries that no longer capture urban markets. Back to top Governance and the city: An empirical exploration into global determinants of urban performance
Kaufmann, Daniel, Léautier, Frannie, and Mastruzzi, Massimo (2004)
The World Bank
The authors of this paper have constructed a worldwide database of cities containing some key determinants of city performance. The results are presented in brief, mainly in the form of charts, with a discussion of the significant links between globalization, city governance, and city performance. No specific cities or countries are mentioned, though data is sometimes broken down into OECD and non-OECD sets. The paper also provides a survey of some of the relevant literature in the field, as well as discussions of conceptual and definitional issues concerning city globalization and urban governance in the context of globalization.
Colombo Urban Transport Project Performance Assessment Report
The World Bank (2003)
This is a performance assessment report for the Colombo Urban Transport Project and Colombo Environmental Improvement Project.
The Rail Decentralization and Modernization Program in Brazil: Lessons Learned
Rebelo, Jorge M. (2003)
The World Bank
The paper examines the main issues involved in the decentralization program of urban rail systems in Brazil from the Federal Government to the local authorities. From 1992-2002, the Bank lent more than US$1 billion for the decentralization program and follow-ups in the States where decentralization was completed. The paper describes the institutional obstacles faced and the lessons learned.
Metropolitan Governance Background Study: What do we need to know?
Divay, Gerard; Wolfe, Jeanne M.; Polese, Mario (2002)
The World Bank
Institut national de la recherche scientifique: Urbanisation, Culture et Société, Montreal
The paper introduces basic notions on the definition and classification of metropolitan regions and governing agencies, addresses the government-governance debate, and reviews criteria for evaluating good governance. The subsequent literature review is structured around questions on issues, policies, coordinative approaches, and metropolitan institutions in the national context.
Amalgamation is a Solution in Jordan
Malkawi, Fuad K. (2002)
The World Bank
The paper presents amalgamation in Jordan as a solution to the problem of governance in metropolitan areas. Greater Amman became a model for good governance and steps toward implementing this model around other major cities were taken recently.
The Challenge of Urban Government-Policies and Practices
Freire, Mila, Stren, Richard (2001)
The World Bank The book results from the first course on urban and city management launched within the Urban Challenges of the XXI century program of the World Bank Institute. It considers many different aspects of the challenge of urban government, including municipal financial management, land and real estate markets, urban poverty, and transportation. The first two chapters are of particular interest to those interested in urban governance, as they focus on metropolitan issues and city strategy and governance. The first chapter contains essays on the impact of the global economy on cities, the design of metropolitan cities, and the lessons that can be taken from the Toronto experience. The second chapter contains essays on preparing a strategic vision for a city, promoting sustainable cities, and dealing with violence in cities, as well as a case study of the Coimbatore City Corporate Plan and some reflections from the former mayor of Mombasa. Back to top Cairo Urban Transport Note
The World Bank (2000)
The note lays out an agenda of institutional strengthening and support for the Cairo Traffic Engineering and Planning Bureau (CTEPB) and also some of the larger transportation issues facing authorities in the Greater Cairo Region (GCR). Where possible, comments and recommended strategies focus on actions at the Governorate level, but in certain instances, some measures may require action or support by the national government. Local Dynamics in an Era of Globalization: 21st Century Catalysts for Development
Yusuf, Shahid, Wu, Weiping, Evenett, Simon (2000)
The World Bank
The book identifies some of the major forces transforming the world economy in the early 21 Century. It covers the Managing Urbanization in a Globalizing World theme including such articles as “The Importance of Large Urban Areas- and Governments’ Role in Fostering Them” by Edwin S. Mills, “Global City-Regions and the New World System” by Allen J. Scott, “How Singapore regulates Urban Transportation and Land Use” by Sock-Yong Phang, “To Plan or not to Plan: Southeast Asian Cities Tackle Transport, Communications, and Land Use” by Peter J. Rimmer and Howard Dick.
Brazil- Rio de Janeiro: a City Study, Volume II
Report No. 19747-BR (1999)
The World Bank
The report attempts to define the priorities for municipal action and lay ahead a framework for renewal in inter-governmental relations to respond to the challenges of economic growth, poverty reduction, and urban renewal. The chapter “Rio: Maintaining Fiscal Health” by W. Dillinger looks at the city’s fiscal prognosis, also addressing the current focus of dispute between the municipality and the state: a battle over responsibility for water supply and sanitation. The chapter “Rio: Is Institutional Change possible?” by Braz Menezes outlines the complexity of the Rio de Janeiro- City management in a metropolitan context.
The Metropolitan Environmental Improvement Program (MEIP) in Asia - people - cities – environment
World Bank (1998)
The paper describes the MEIP established by the World Bank and UNDP in 1989 to find innovative solutions to environmental problems in Asian cities (Beijing, Bombay, Colombo, Jakarta, Metro Manila).
Essentials for sustainable urban transport in Brazil's large metropolitan areas
Rebelo, Jorge M. (1996)
Policy Research Working Paper
The World Bank
The note describes four main pillars for sound development and long-term sustainability of the urban transport sector in large metropolitan areas, and suggests how they can be introduced in Brazil.
Financing the Metropolitan areas of South Africa
Pre-2003 Sector Report No. 12596 SA (1996)
The World Bank
The report focuses on the fiscal dimensions of unifying the urban areas of South Africa, in particular addressing the issues of fiscal imbalance and revenue sharing arrangements between the city and townships. The analysis concentrates on the Witwatersrand area; however the lessons and implications drawn are relevant for the four metropolitan centers of the country.
Understanding the Developing Metropolis: Lessons from the City Study of Bogota and Cali, Colombia
Mohan, Rakesh (1994)
The World Bank
The book summarizes extensive empirical work on Bogota and Cali, Colombia. The study examines five major urban sectors- housing, transportation, employment location, labor markets, and public finance.
Urban Public Finance in Developing Countries
Bahl, Roy and Linn, Johannes (1992)
The World Bank This book provides a policy framework for urban public finance in large cities of developing countries. The central question raised is how better to finance public services in large, growing cities and in particular how to capture the benefits of urbanization in order to increase the supply of services. It briefly touches upon the structure of large metropolitan areas, in particular the fiscal implications of the three general models of urban governance: centralized metropolitan governance, functional fragmentation, and jurisdictional fragmentation.
Kenya: Urban Transport Development Issues
Report No. 7881-KE (1990)
The World Bank Some of the key issues identified by the study were developing a metropolitan growth strategy, which relieves development pressures from in Nairobi, and defining the role of the government in public transportation.
Cities in Conflict: Studies in the Planning and Management of Asian Cities
Lea, John P. and Courtney, John M. (1985)
The World Bank
The chapters in this book are a contemporary account of conflicts inherent in the planning and management of four Asia’s largest cities- Manila, Jakarta, Calcutta, and Madras. Conflict is defined here as a clash of policies, strategies, objectives, attitudes, plans or procedures in the context of a large metropolitan area.
Urban Policy in Peru
Report No. 3353-PE (1981)
The World Bank
The report focus on selected problems and policy issues that will have to be addressed by the Government of Peru when preparing a National Urban Development Strategy. Section III deals with particular issues such as the restructuring of the Lima metropolitan region and the development of secondary cities, as well as issues in urban land, urban housing and services, urban transport and administrative decentralization.
India - Report on Bombay
The World Bank (1971)
The report is about allocation of resources to the development of the city. It outlines what motivates the allocation for each purpose, and under what constraints each agency makes its decisions and put forward its proposals. The paper gives a brief anatomy of the metropolitan region, and addresses the issues of transportation, public utilities, land use, housing, the fiscal position of Greater Bombay and planning for the region. Back to top
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