Public Infrastructure

The project Albatros-D aims at developing a structured method of urban diagnosis that integrates sustainable development stakes at the beginning of the planning stage of public infrastructures projects building, renovation or abandon. The method is innovating by providing decision based on qualitative multicriteria and systemic modelling; this, in a stage of the project where information level is at a minimum

This paper argues that unemployment persistence in countries like Tunisia is not caused only by labor market rigidities and by population growth. The size of the informal sector and the low level of investment within the formal sector and in public infrastructure and services are other important factors. The main purpose of this paper is to show that the larger the size of the informal sector the more persistent unemployment will be, and that the larger the share of investment allocated to the formal sector the lower and least persistent unemployment will be. We also show that an exogenous increase of the wage rate paid by the informal sector, for instance as a result of the enforcement of some labor regulations within the informal sector, will (paradoxically) reduce unemployment. The reason is that it reduces the gap between work conditions in the formal and the informal sectors and slows down the migration process to the formal sector. The link between unemployment, the size of th...

Abstract. This study provides empirical evidence supporting the claim that the cost of corruption faced by the firm varies with the network through which corruption is organized. We show that the probability that a firm will pay irregular additional payments is higher in ...

Public-private partnership may cover various forms of partnership, viz. as the property of the private sector in the state of municipal activities or information and consultations between the public and private sectors, also as an unconventional method of public procurement when the public and private sectors enter into a long-term contract on the establishment of public infrastructure or the provision of public services. The most important thing in implementing PPP projects is to properly draw up the contract between the public and private partners, which should explicitly state all terms and conditions, undertakings and liabilities, evaluate risks, determine the payment mechanism and dispute settlement procedure, etc. In order to reduce any risk associated with such projects, a proper legal framework should be developed, which would provide liabilities and undertakings of both parties of the project (the private and public sectors), and more information should be disbursed as to h...

Development of infrastructure projects with private engagement through PPP has become one of the commonly adopted procurement strategies in developed and developing countries. All over the world where PPP procurement has been used in one form or ...

Since mid 1980s, the decentralization process has been launched once again in developing countries. This time caused by the lack of response of central governments to the needs of public infrastructure in local areas, and by a renewed demand from the population for more democratic systems and a greater participation in the governance of the local areas. Together to this

The authors empirically study factors that influence public investment in transportation and communication infrastructure. Using data for 1980-86 for 27 economies, they assess the influence of government objectives, the nature of the domestic economy, and the external assistance flow on public infrastructure spending. They find: a) per capita spending on infrastructure responds most strongly to changes in development level, urbanization rate, and labor force participation rate; b) spending is greater in countries with large foreign sectors and is positively influenced by sectoral imbalances between rural and urban areas; c) if total foreign savings flows increase, there is a small positive per capita spending response; d) with higher population densities, consolidated government spending declines although it rises initially; e) central budget spending is positively associated with improved institutional development, while consolidated budget is negatively associated; f) budget defic...

Apart from financial incentives for private actors, public investments in the infrastructure are the most important instrument in regional policies and for regional cohesion. The Cost-Benefit-Analysis in regional economics is considered is one of the most efficient tools for evaluation of such investments.

In India, fiscal consolidation is rule-based and focuses on deficits and debt. Macroeconomic concerns are not integrated with fiscal targets, which have been achieved at the cost of infrastructure investment. States have to use their revenues more effectively to spend on health and education, and borrow more to fund infrastructure. The centre must incentivise states to use their fiscal space effectively. A strategy for infrastructure investment by the central and state governments is discussed, especially in the context of the recommendations of the Fourteenth Finance Commission.

Evidence on growth rates in per capita income of Italian regions reveals persistent differences in development patterns between North and South Italy. While Northern regions manage to sustain high growth rates, Southern regions stagnate in low growth traps. To explain the phenomenon of different long-term growth paths, we use the stochastic frontier approach which allows to discriminate between the channels through which public infrastructure influences overall productivity. The main results are that the impact of core-infrastructure investment on efficiency is always positive. The impact of non-core infrastructure on efficiency is negative in the South and positive in the North.

Modelling infrastructure as an international public good in a two-country model of trade where each country’s social planner behaves strategically, we show that the equilibrium levels of infrastructure are sub-optimal from a global perspective. Utilising an appropriate econometric framework and data from 16 European countries over the period 1987-95, we find evidence that accords well with the main predictions of

This paper describes a system design approach for a wireless sensor network based application that is to be used to measure temperature and humidity as well as being fitted with a smoke detector. Such a device can be used as an early warning fire detection system in ...

This paper discusses the preliminary results from two contrasting water recycling initiatives in Queensland. The centralised scheme is based on recycling sewage effluent into a new urban subdivision (Springfield) for uses ranging from dual reticulation to public space irrigation and urban lakes. The importance of strong public consultation and partnership is stressed for scheme success. The other initiative (Healthy Home) operates at a household level and demonstrates that urban households can become largely self reliant for their potable and non-potable water needs, at least in high rainfall areas. However, the cost- effectiveness of this self reliance will require a substantial change in the sharing of savings from deferred public infrastructure. Developing both initiatives will assist cities to better fit within the capacities of their local and regional ecosystems. In short, to reduce their Ecological Footprint.

Purpose – This paper aims to understand the relationship in developing countries between fiscal consolidation and public investment – a flexible part of the budget that is easier to cut during consolidation effort, but with potentially negative growth effects. Analyzing in detail the case of Peru, the paper explores alternative fiscal rules and frameworks that might help create fiscal space for infrastructure investment. Design/methodology/approach – The paper analyses trends in public and total infrastructure investment in six large Latin American economies, in the light of fiscal developments since the early 1980s. In particular, the paper explores the association between fiscal consolidations (improvements in the structural fiscal balance) and public infrastructure investment rates. In the second part, the paper analyzes recent changes in the fiscal framework of Peru and shows how they were conductive in creating additional fiscal space. Findings – The authors argue that post-cri...