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Periodical article | Leiden University catalogue | WorldCat |
Title: | Metropolitanisation: a tale of three cities in Canada and South Africa |
Author: | Reddy, P.S. |
Year: | 2008 |
Periodical: | Africanus |
Volume: | 38 |
Issue: | 1 |
Pages: | 81-94 |
Language: | English |
Geographic terms: | South Africa Canada |
Subjects: | municipal government local government reform |
Abstract: | Metropolitan restructuring has been high on the agenda in South Africa and Canada in the quest for effective local governance. An important point of departure in both countries was that the two-tier system was part of the problem, not the solution. Metropolitization has been influenced by the global trend of 'less government is better government', and the need for equity, uniformity, standardization, redistribution and financial sustainability (South Africa) and savings (Canada). The expected benefits are difficult to quantify in South Africa, given the development challenges. Downloading and decentralization in both countries have resulted in unfunded mandates being borne by municipalities, which has impacted negatively on their financial sustainability. Local case studies of Toronto City Council, Johannesburg City Council and eThekwini City Council indicate that structural and organizational change does not guarantee savings, financial sustainability or improved service delivery. Bibliogr., notes, ref., sum. [Journal abstract] |