The Design, Funding, and Management of Infrastructure in Local Municipalities: A Study From Canada

Abstract

The design, funding, management of infrastructure is a challenge for organizations both large and small. Beyond size, when place-based issues such as demographics, geography, and climate are also considered strategic decisions around infrastructure are further complicated. The following study, based on 300 municipalities in the province of Newfoundland and Labrador in Canada, explores good practice and provides recommendations to improve municipal infrastructure in local towns and villages. Municipalities, as organizations, are an interesting area of study because they are multifaceted, social-purpose entities with governance, strategic, and financial concerns, similar, but different to those of the private sector. Moreover, as with any organization, they are required to be managed, controlled, and financed. How they address their most important, and yet basic, strategic questions, specifically how, why, and when to invest in infrastructure, is important both for public policy and management research.