Financing Cities: Fiscal Responsibility and Urban Infrastructure in Brazil, China, India, Poland and South Africa

This book looks at the practical policy dimension of reconciling two valid policy perspectives: the need to boost urban infrastructure investment levels and the need for prudent fiscal management across all levels of government–all in the context of decentralizing service delivery responsibilities. Several countries are featured to offer contrasting approaches and experiences. The book addressed different dimensions for reconciliation between fiscal policy and urban infrastructure investment; in policy design, analytical understanding, national and international debt rules, and the politics of policy implementation. It examines how accountability for urban infrastructure outcomes and financing has been built into the institutions of different countries, and assesses from each country’s own perspective how well this aspect of the intergovernmental system is working within the overall fiscal framework. The book focuses on case studies that dwell on the interactions of a range of variables and factors, and draws on valuable lessons from those experiences. The volume provides a menu of experience-tested institutional arrangements and financing strategies, thus offering a much better informed basis of making policy choices. It is a must read for those working in the field of urban planning, public finance, policy-makers and researchers and analysts.