This Working Paper should not be reported as representing the views of the IMF. The views expressed in this Working Paper are those of the author(s) and do not necessarily represent those of the IMF or IMF policy. Working Papers describe research in progress by the author(s) and are published to...

This paper explores the procurement of public buildings in local authorities in the UK under the Private Finance Initiative (PFI) and its consequences for small and medium sized enterprises. Following an outline of the development of PFI in the UK, the paper explains the peculiarities of local...

Purpose – The purpose of this paper is to discuss citizen participation in public service delivery protests in the Sedibeng district municipality of South Africa. The municipality consists of three local municipalities: Lesedi, Emfuleni and Midvaal. Design/methodology/approach – A structured...

In an introductory section, this paper considers briefly the achievements and problems of urban governance in post-apartheid South Africa through an assessment of three categories: administrative reform, developmental issues and conflicts over service del

Local economic development policy and practice has evolved significantly in the post-apartheid era in South Africa. This article reviews recent local economic development policy and legal developments, particularly with respect to the enhanced development requirements and expectations being...

Purpose – The purpose of this paper is to discuss citizen participation in public service delivery protests in the Sedibeng district municipality of South Africa. The municipality consists of three local municipalities: Lesedi, Emfuleni and Midvaal. Design/methodology/approach – A structured...

This paper addresses continuity and change in South African cities, using the example of Durban. Continuity is the norm in understanding urban history with change as a series of accretions and as layering. A series of changes is highlighted, which fit into what the deracialised growth path...

Urban social movements in Johannesburg are sidelining participatory institutions, and local councilors in particular, in order to be heard. This is due mainly to the centralization of powers in the hands of the mayor, and the fact that local councilors are primarily accountable to the dominant...

Through a case study of development policy making in the eThekwini metro (Durban), South Africa, this paper explores the emergence of post apartheid forms of local democracy. The paper examines the production of strategic planning documents in the years following the creation of the municipality...