This study assesses the effects of urban governance structure on the spatial expansion of metropolitan areas. A more fragmented governance structure, represented by a high number of administrative units with decision power on land use per inhabitant, is expected to increase the competition...

This paper uses variation in the timing of the Mexican antipoverty program's introduction across municipalities to identify its impact on the share of votes for the local incumbent party. Evidence is found that voters reward the mayor's party for the central benefit to their constituencies,...

We estimate the relationship between urban spatial expansion and its socio-economic determinants in Lombardy, the most urbanised region of Italy (and one of the most urbanized of the European Union), at the municipality level. Test results suggest that this relationship varies significantly...

Die starke Reduktion der Gemeinden im Kanton Glarus, die 2006 an der Landsgemeinde beschlossen wurde, hat nur geringfügige finanzielle Auswirkungen gebracht. Hingegen ist die Stimmbeteiligung - ein wichtiger Indikator für die Beziehung der Bevölkerung zum demokratischen politischen Prozess -...