The Municipal Finance Handbook conveys a fascinating, rich, and vigorous story on municipal finances to help local government practitioners, particularly staff of medium and large cities, in improving strategic management. The book aimed to be a basic learning instrument for local officers; however, central government staff, municipal consultants, and even university students will presumably find it very useful. The book is a good combination of theory, pragmatic how-to advices, and best practices derived from global experiences, many gained in World Bank projects. Studying trough examples and from city stories and guiding the readers by honestly explained real-life situation with simple numeric illustrations, summary comparative tables, and cases, and then telling what has worked and what has not, are among the prime didactic principles of this book. The eight chapters provide for a very comprehensive picture on municipal finances and exceptionally broad scope in the light of the comparable literature. The chapters cover an overview of fiscal decentralisation and intergovernmental finances; a glimpse into managing metropolises; detailed discussions on municipal financial management, managing local revenue, managing local expenditures, managing local assets, and managing external resources. Finally the book discusses performance measurement and provides for a tool for financial self-assessment. Practitioners seek ideas and tools on managing finances, because they are under pressure due to global crises and because devolution of responsibilities happened without adequate transfer of resources. Some municipalities have opportunities to access external funds without knowledge about how to tap in by programming priority investments, preparing fundable projects; and enhancing creditworthiness. The book advocates sound municipal management which requires improved governance and enhanced accountability supported by transparent budgets, good revenue administration, reliable customer services, proper outsourcing to public utilities, adequate asset management, prudential borrowing, and clear monitoring of performances.

The planet is becoming increasingly urban. In many ways, the urbanization wave and the unprecedented urban growth of the last twenty years have created a state of urgency for action and impetus for change. While 54 percent of the world population or 3.9 billion people live in urban areas today, it has become clear that "business as usual" is no longer possible. In this new configuration, great hope and expectations are placed on local governments. While central governments are subject to instability and political changes, local governments are seen as more inclined to stay the course and, because they are closer to the people, the voice of the people is more clearly heard for a true democratic debate over the choice of neighborhood investments and the choice of city-wide policies and programs. In a context of skewed financial resources and of incredibly complex urban challenges (which range from the provision of basic traditional municipal services to issues of social inclusion, economic development/city branding, smart technologies, and green investments), cities are searching for more effective and more innovative ways to deal with new and old problems. Better Cities, Better World is at the heart of this debate. It outlines a grid for analysis, a framework for databased policy dialogue, and a common language which, for the first time, helps connect the dots between investments programming (urban audit/self-assessment) and financing (municipal finances self-assessment). The volume offers a bit of everything for everyone. City leaders and policy makers will find the sections on "Objectives and Content" instructive and informative, as each issue is placed in its context. Municipal staff in charge of day-to-day management will find that the sections on "Tasks" and the detailed step-by-step "walk" through the process gives them the pragmatic know-how they need.

Finances Municipales est tout particulierement concu pour les collectivites locales. Il permet d'avoir une vision globale et internationale sur la situation des finances locales dans les villes en developpement et de presenter de maniere operationnelle et pragmatique la palette des outils et instruments a la portee des collectivites locales.

Desde Detroit hasta Lahore, la mayoria de las ciudades del mundo enfrentan problemas financieros, y aun asi se espera que lleven a cabo sus funciones cada vez mas complejas. Finanzas municipales - Manual para los gobiernos locales toma partido. Se pone del lado de los alcaldes y de los responsables de los asuntos municipales. Son escasas las publicaciones sobre este tema dirigidas tan directa y pragmaticamente a las autoridades decisorias y al personal financiero a nivel local. El contenido y los mensajes principales procuran responder a las inquietudes y a las cuestiones que enfrentan diariamente las ciudades y los municipios en la administracion de sus finanzas. Finanzas municipales - Manual para los gobiernos locales asume una posicion. En ocho capitulos, en esta obra se pasa revista a las lecciones aprendidas sobre relaciones intergubernamentales; finanzas de las areas metropolitanas; gestion financiera, de los ingresos, de los gastos y de los activos publicos; financiamiento externo, y medicion del desempeno de las finanzas municipales. Abarca temas tales como la descentralizacion, la transparencia y la rendicion de cuentas, y aborda temas menos explorados como la gestion de activos, la capacidad crediticia, la respuesta frente a crisis financieras y los mecanismos de presentacion de informes a los diversos niveles de gobierno y a la ciudadania. Finanzas municipales - Manual para los gobiernos locales hace un llamado a la accion. No solo aporta conocimientos de avanzada en muchas cuestiones tecnicas, sino que tambien guia a los gobiernos locales en el laberinto de los instrumentos existentes. En particular, la autoevaluacion de las finanzas municipales que se propone en el capitulo 8 deberia ayudar a los municipios a evaluar su propia situacion y a avanzar en la senda de las reformas.