Municipal Development Research Articles

Improving the budgetary policy of municipalities

The subject of the study is financial relations of municipalities in terms of income generation. The purpose of the article is to disclose and justify measures to increase fairness of the distribution of personal income tax by fixing the share of such a tax for the municipality in which the citizen lives but does not work. The research methods are general scientific (analysis, synthesis, deduction, classification, work with sources) and empirical ones (horizontal analysis). The article considers the problem of imbalance of local budgets caused by pendulum migration and, consequently, by outflow of income from municipalities. An information and software solution has been proposed to ensure the fair distribution of part of the personal income tax between municipalities by the place of residence and work of taxpayers. The logical model of the proposed solution and necessary changes in legislation for its implementation are described. The scope of application is the budget system of the Russian Federation, namely the spheres of municipal finance. Further research should be aimed at identifying additional reserves for strengthening the financial autonomy of municipalities. The expected results of the work include improving the financial situation of the population, optimising the budget system and leveling the level of development of municipalities. The importance of the proposed solution for balanced regional development and improving the quality of life of citizens is emphasised.

LE GRAND BASCULEMENT DE LA VIOLENCE

The article is based on original maps produced using data from the Atlas of Violence published by the Institute for Applied Economic Research (Ipea) and the Brazilian Public Security Forum, showing huge spatial differences in the distribution of homicides. They associate the number of homicides recorded in each of the country's municipalities (represented by the size of the proportional circles) and the proportion of these homicides in relation to the municipal population (represented by a color gradation), while the background map is colored according to the municipal development index calculated by Firjan. The map drawn for the year 2021 confirms a clear evolution in relation to previous situations (1989, 1999, 2009 and 201), a shift in crime towards the Northeast and North regions, while the number and proportion of homicides in the population fell rapidly in the main capitals of the Southeast. Keywords: Violence, Movement, Crime.

Promising Directions of Economic Development of Rural Areas: The Case of the Republic of Crimea

Introduction. Rural areas represent significant strategic potential for the socio-economic development of the country. In recent years, the role of the state in planning territorial development has increased significantly. This is due to successful experience in designing territorial and sectoral development in difficult periods of macroeconomic and geopolitical crises, financing and monitoring infrastructure projects that are important for the economy and society. The subject of the study are rural areas localized in the space of one of the constituent entities of the Russian Federation, which recently became part of the state – the Republic of Crimea. The purpose of the article is to substantiate promising directions for the economic development of rural areas of the Republic of Crimea based on the construction of a structural and sectoral profile. Materials and Methods. The research materials were the scientific results of leading scientists studying the problems of the economy of rural areas, structural and sectoral transformations on a regional and municipal levels. The information base of the study was made up of official statistical data of Rosstat and Crimea, official websites of governmental bodies of the Russian Federation, and archival materials. The research was conducted using content analysis of scientific literature, retrospective and structural analysis. Results. Structural and sectoral profiles of the economy of rural areas of the Republic of Crimea for 2017 and 2022 were developed, which allowed to prove the presence of processes of structural and sectoral changes, identify key factors and justify promising directions for further development. The authors prove that against the background of ongoing changes in the economic space of rural areas of Crimea, the dominance of agricultural production based on the use of unique natural factors, resources and conditions (climate, soil fertility, availability of centuries-old technologies for growing agricultural products, etc) remains. Discussion and Conclusion. The decrease in the share of agricultural production in the sectoral structure of the economy of rural territories (municipalities) of the Republic of Crimea is the most significant for the period 2017–2022, which is primarily due to the following factors: strengthening of transport, logistics and recreational and resort functions of the region, development of other types of material production. Analysis of the structural and sectoral profile proves the sustainability of the development of rural municipalities of the Republic of Crimea, due to the focus on the needs of both visitors and local population. It is advisable to use the research results in the development of strategies, plans, projects for the socio-economic development of rural territories, municipalities and regions.

Strategic planning of municipal development: Methodological approaches to determining growth areas

Strategic planning of municipal development: Methodological approaches to determining growth areas

Cultural Heritage, Migration, and Land Use Transformation in San José Chiltepec, Oaxaca

Indigenous communities worldwide face increasing challenges from modernization, migration, and economic pressures, which threaten their traditional agricultural systems and cultural heritage. These dynamics often lead to shifts in land use, the erosion of ancestral knowledge, and the weakening of cultural identity. Understanding how these communities adapt to such changes is crucial for sustainable development. This research examines how indigenous communities, particularly San José Chiltepec in Oaxaca, balance the preservation of cultural heritage with adapting to evolving agricultural practices and land use transformations. It emphasizes the critical role of indigenous knowledge in sustainable land management and the importance of cultural identity amidst socio-economic pressures. A mixed-methods approach was employed, integrating geostatistical data, spatial analysis, and qualitative insights from municipal development plans and community-based observations. This provided a detailed understanding of how local conditions and external forces shape land use and conservation. The findings reveal that, while irrigated agriculture and pasturelands have declined, the community has shown resilience through the preservation of seasonal farming and the expansion of secondary vegetation. San José Chiltepec serves as a model for how indigenous communities can maintain cultural and environmental heritage while adapting to modern economic challenges.

The impact of accessibility changes on local development: A spatial approach

Throughout the years, the European Commission has allocated significant financial resources to road infrastructure construction, based on the belief that it would boost, socioeconomic development. However, literature evidence shows it is not consensual whether those investment policies will yield the expected outcomes. The main goal of this work is to shed light on where, and to what extent, accessibility changes due to road infrastructure construction might contribute to boost socioeconomic development at the municipal scale and regional cohesion, resorting to a case study consisting of the municipalities located in the Center Region of Portugal. The analysis uses spatial statistical methods and considers both space and time-lagged variables simultaneously, while controlling for endogeneity, spatial autocorrelation and demographic variables. Results show that accessibility changes induced by 20 years of road infrastructure construction had, in general, a positive impact on the development of the Center Region municipalities. However, depending on how accessibility is defined, negative impacts were also reported, as well as impacts that depend on geographic location. It is suggested that these latter impacts might be related to population migration within the Center Region. Concerning cohesion, no significant impacts of accessibility changes were found.

Long-term population development of the South Bohemian municipalities from 1869 to 2021 in the perspective of selected factors

Long-term population development of the South Bohemian municipalities from 1869 to 2021 in the perspective of selected factors

Алгоритм принятия управленческих решений в органах государственного и муниципального управления

The article examines the problems of choosing the optimal management solution in the implementation of state and municipal management. One of the options offered as a solution is to use the method of assessing profitability and risk in assessing the objectives of municipal development programs

LOCAL FINANCES IN WESTERN BALKAN COUNTRIES: FOCUS ON OWN -SOURCE REVENUES AND CAPITAL INVESTMENTS

This study examines the fiscal dynamics of local governments’ finances in the Western Balkan countries, focusing on their own source revenues and capital investments, made from the municipalities. While spending for capital investment has increased in nominal terms, the share of municipal spending on capital investments has been downwardly unstable over the past 16 years. In addition to central government transfers, several significant factors contribute to the determination of municipal own-source revenues, including central and local public investment, current expenditures, and municipal development index. The study reveals that capital investment depends on its own source revenues or capital transfers from the central government, where local capital expenditure emerges as a robust determinant, exerting a stronger influence on municipal fiscal autonomy compared to central government investments. This finding underscores the importance of local capital expenditure in enhancing fiscal independence at the local level. This research emphasizes the need for a comprehensive understanding of investment allocation, development indicators, and promoting local revenue mobilization. The findings suggest that enhancing local fiscal autonomy requires a shift in policy focus towards stimulating local capital expenditure and prioritizing human development. By identifying the factors that influence municipal own-source revenues, this study provides valuable insights for local management in strengthening the financial capacities of local governments in the Western Balkan countries.

Artificial intelligence for citizen participation to promote sustainable services for sustainable development in South African municipalities: A conceptual analysis

The linkages between adequate service delivery and sustainable development have been given a little academic attention in the South Africa’s local municipalities. For this reason, the achievement of sustainable development has been difficult which has culminated in the occurrence of service delivery protests. These service delivery protests have posed critical threats to social security thus affecting the possibility to achieve sustainable development in South Africa. the paper findings showed that the delivery of inadequate services to the citizens is triggered by the failure to equally include citizens in the process. One of the threats that the paper found is the fact that these service delivery protests have become a major issue and any move to solve them without citizen participation has been unsuccessful. The paper findings also showed that that the lack of adequate service delivery to the citizens causes human insecurities which in turn affect the achievement of sustainable development. This is because the occurrence of the service delivery protests deteriorates national economic growth and human growth. They affect foreign investors and international tourists by instilling fear in them and yet they are contributors to sustainable economic growth that leads to sustainable development. The findings of this paper also presented that the use of Artificial Intelligence (AI) technologies can increase citizen participation during service delivery. It is through the use of citizen participation that openness, transparency, accountability, and representation principles that promote the delivery of adequate services are possible. The paper found that using AI technologies would also foster trust between the service provider and service receiver needed for delivering adequate services, thus achieve sustainable development in South Africa.

Economic risks of environmental setbacks in Brazil’s Iguaçu National Park

SummaryIguaçu National Park, a UNESCO World Heritage Site, faces threats from proposed legislation aimed at downgrading its protection to allow reopening of the Caminho-do-Colono road, which would fragment the National Park. This study assesses the National Park’s importance in preserving native vegetation and its economic significance via payments for environmental services. We evaluated different scenarios, demonstrating how these resources are vital for certain municipalities. By comparing economic performance before and after the road’s closure, our findings reveal that, contrary to local beliefs, the closure did not negatively impact the local economy. Additionally, these legislative bills are legally infeasible and fail to offer environmental or economic benefits, favouring small interest groups over the collective good. This research highlights that the Caminho-do-Colono road is not a viable approach to municipal development. Instead, maintaining the National Park’s integrity is crucial for both ecological preservation and economic stability in the region. Our analysis underscores the broader implications of environmental conservation efforts and the necessity of rejecting projects that compromise protected areas. This study provides a comprehensive evaluation of the National Park’s role, emphasizing the need for sustainable development that aligns with environmental and community well-being.

Spatial Patterns of Productivity and Human Development Potentials for Pinus pinea L.

Pinus pinea (stone pine), a Mediterranean species, is valued for its highly nutritious pine nuts and its ability to adapt to different environmental conditions. The species has been increasingly planted in Chile, where its main ecological requirements are met across a vast area. However, new plantations are established without considering social dimensions. Policymakers can regulate private decisions on tree planting through the appropriate design of economic incentives to foster social well-being. The objective of this work was to describe spatial patterns of potential areas for the cultivation of the exotic nut-bearing conifer P. pinea in central Chile and the possible correlation of those patterns with human development indices. Spatial data layers of the municipality development index (MDI), elevation, edaphoclimatic variables, and stone pine nut’s productive potential were overlapped at the municipality scale along 1225 km in central Chile. A spatial principal component analysis (sPCA) was used to integrate multiple dimensions, summarizing covariation structures, and identifying spatial patterns in the study area. Key results showed that spatial patterns of the potential productive index (PPI) were strongly regulated by the spatial pattern of climate and soil variables, whereas the spatial pattern of MDI showed a cryptic pattern and that the three dimensions of MDI—welfare, economy, and education—showed a different spatial movement, especially education and welfare. The results allow us to recommend that public policies boost municipality development through the promotion of P. pinea plantations and should target areas with a high productive potential and low MDI to generate socio-economic improvements. These findings are useful for the strategic spatial planning of the species cropping in Chile.

Tax potential of municipalities as the basis of regional budgets

In the Russian Federation (hereinafter referred to as RF, Russia), which is a federal state with a three-level budget system, it is assumed that there is tax potential at all levels: federal, regional, and local. With the help of taxes, the financial basis of local governments is formed and the socio-economic development of municipalities is ensured. In developed countries, municipal budgets are formed mainly from the taxes assigned to them. In Russia, they continue to remain the most problematic link in the country’s budget system. The purpose of the article is to study the influence of the taxes assigned to local budgets on the formation of the tax potential of the municipalities. Objectives are the following: analysis and assessment of revenues of the Russian local budgets in dynamics, justification of directions for increasing the tax potential. The methodological basis of the research is founded on a systematic approach, within which the following methods have been used: analysis and synthesis, generalisation, grouping, tabular method, etc. The research has found that over the past years, with the introduction of the Tax Code of the RF, problems of insufficient tax and non-tax revenues remain for most municipalities, low level of the tax potential and predominance of interbudgetary transfers in their budgets are current. Due to the increasing centralisation of the tax revenues, the degree of dependence of the municipalities on the federal centre is high. Without actually enhancing the tax potential of the municipalities, the development of the regional economy is impossible. The re -search results can be used in practice when developing economic policy for municipal development.

An ecological study mapping socioeconomic inequalities in tuberculosis incidence in a southern state of Brazil

ObjectiveTo analyze the spatial patterns and factors associated with tuberculosis incidence in the municipalities of Paraná, Brazil. Materials and methodsEcological study examining new tuberculosis cases from 2018 to 2022 in Paraná’s 399 municipalities. Incidence coefficients, relative risk, and local indicator of spatial autocorrelation were estimated. Negative binomial models were applied to identify associated factors. ResultsHigh-risk areas were observed in the coastal/port, north, and northeast regions. The following factors positively influenced tuberculosis incidence: municipal development index (incidence rate ratio [IRR]: 1.07; 95 % confidence interval [95 % CI]: 1.01–1.14), hospitalizations due to inadequate environmental sanitation (IRR: 1.07; 95 % CI: 1.01–1.14), and Gini index (IRR: 1.09; 95 % CI: 1.02–1.16). ConclusionsParadoxically, in municipalities with elevated development indices yet marked by socioeconomic disparities—including deficiencies in sanitation—substantial tuberculosis clusters persist. This suggests that income inequality might play a role in perpetuating the incidence even in regions that are otherwise considered developed.

Legal and admisnitrative-management conditions of the operation of polish spa resorts

The article shows that the spa, as a territorial part of the municipality, determines the status of the municipality, its leading spa function, to which most of the important matters are necessarily subordinated. This applies, for example, to land use plans, development plans, environmental protection, construction, business development of the entire municipality, not just the part on which the resort is located. The aim of the work is to try to answer the question of what legal, administrative and organizational solutions will stimulate the effective functioning and development of Polish spas, under conditions of strong competition in the European market for tourism and spa services. An additional objective of the study is to identify the factors stimulating competitiveness and quality of tourism and spa services of customers of Polish spas. The evaluation of laundry and economic-administrative solutions was limited to the assessment of economic instruments and legal regulations found in national and EU government documents, directives and legal acts. The evaluation of current and projected solutions and changes in legal regulations takes into account the short and long term.

Migration and municipal sustainable development planning framework in the city of uMhlathuze, South Africa

Internationally, migrants encounter a multitude of obstacles in the countries they settle in, including being denied access to essential services and economic prospects due to restrictive laws that undermine their ability to contribute to the fulfilment of the 2030 global agenda. While it is crucial to incorporate migration into development goals at all levels, the integration at the local government level is still incomplete. This research utilises the notion of global governance and employs a qualitative case study approach to conduct an explorative investigation of the difficulties pertaining to the integration of migration into municipal development plans. A total of 20 individuals engaged in municipal development planning were interviewed. The data was collected by reviewing municipal strategic plans. Thematic analysis was employed for data analysis. The study findings indicate that the lack of current migration data, negative attitudes towards migration, and insufficient coordination among parties responsible for development planning are the primary obstacles to integrating migration into municipal development planning. The exclusion of migrants has significant ramifications for municipal planning. Not only does it contradict the 2030 global goal, which recognises migrants as catalysts for sustainable development, but it also renders municipal planning inadequate and unsustainable. The discoveries aided in the creation of the Migration and Municipal Development Planning Framework. The framework has substantial ramifications for municipal planning since it delineates the actions that local municipalities could take to seamlessly incorporate migration issues into development planning, along with the anticipated results. The framework is a unique and valuable addition to the existing knowledge since it offers a fresh viewpoint on the relationship between migration and sustainable development, specifically at the level of local government.

Evaluation of the impact of mining royalties on socio-environmental indicators in Parauapebas, Pará, the Eastern Amazon

This research evaluated the impact of applying financial resources from mining exploitation (known as CFEM) on socio-environmental indicators in Parauapebas municipality, eastern Amazon. This study applies synthetic control methodology to establish a counterfactual for Parauapebas by weighting data from municipalities that did not experience the same impact due to the absence of mineral resources. We created synthetic indicators for before and after 1991, the initial year in which these royalties were received. Parauapebas municipality achieved a higher level of socio-environmental well-being with mining royalties than those without this activity. The rates (highest impact since 2000) for the population served with water were 3 %; sanitary sewage: 7 %; and waste collection: 3 %. Thus, resources allocation considers territory demands and expectations for the maintenance of municipality development. This research has important implications: it may guide the actions of various actors operating locally and support government development planning.

Identity, experience, and non-partisan: the institution of traditional chiefs and development in a rural local municipality in North West Province, South Africa

ABSTRACT This paper explores the place and role of chiefs and their institution in the governance and development of rural society in South Africa, using a case study of six tribal authorities in the Moses Kotane Local Municipality, North West Province. It examines whether chiefs have taken active development roles in their communities, and how they are perceived by society vis-à-vis community councillors. It argues that active roles and endorsement by the people are evidence of the significance of chiefs in the rural governance structures. In the studied tribal authorities, chiefs assumed central development roles, by initiating development projects, mobilizing stakeholders, and providing information to their people that ensured compliance with government COVID-19 regulations. While development and service delivery issues are the mandate of the community councillors and council, people saw the chiefs as best suited to spearhead development in their areas, because of their proximity to society and knowledge of their needs. The paper argues that the institution of the chiefs constitutes an accountable leadership that acts in the interests of all people, and chiefs should be incorporated in rural governance structures.

Political and relational co-creation for inclusive tourism development

ABSTRACT Co-creation between public actors across organisational borders and hierarchies, as well as between public, private, civic and academic stakeholders has become norm and an ideological tool in tourism research and management. As co-creation entails issues of power and accountability, it is a political act and some entities, not least certain public actors, have the ability to affect the agency of others. This paper concerns the lack of policy and academic debates on who participates and how the diversity of actors are involved in tourism co-creation. The purpose is to critically explore the agency and relationships involved in multi-level co-creation for tourism development. We specifically point to agency connected to people’s different positionalities and preconditions for participating, and how the ways that people practise agency affect relational work. We use an interdisciplinary theoretical framework, integrating tourism literature on co-creation with critical tourism and diversity studies, and a case of multi-level co-creation for inclusive tourism development in a Swedish municipality. Through the study, the “who” in co-creation is widened, and the “how” expands into suggestions for just inclusion of minorities. Ensuring in-depth understanding of abstract concepts such as diversity, inclusion and multiculturalism is essential to follow policies for co-creation with action.

Environmental policy in rural development management involving territorial partnerships

Motives: Local authorities are seeking new approaches to development, with a strong emphasis on multifunctional development. Taking into account the state of the natural environment, they need to implement various activities that effectively reduce anthropogenic pressure. Poland’s membership in the EU requires the implementation of the European Green Deal. The neighbouring Polish and Ukrainian regions of Lublin and Lviv, which share similar environmental conditions and a common cultural heritage, were chosen for this study. The Polish border regions have the potential to serve as an important model for Ukrainian border regions as they strive to integrate into the European Union. This paper provides an overview of development and environmental support policies, as well as in-depth case studies, to establish a basis for assessing the sustainable functioning of rural municipalities and territorial partnerships. Aim: This study examined supra-local strategic documents concerning environmental protection and rural development in Polish and Ukrainian municipalities. Their socio-economic situation was characterised, and the goals and activities proposed under their environmental protection programmes and local development strategies were identified. Results: Based on the research findings, a proposal was formulated for implementing systemic solutions in the development of strategic plans to ensure that local strategies become fundamental tools for implementing measures that support environmental protection and sustainable development.