Declining municipal investment backlog – a trend reversal or just a temporary breather?

Although municipal investment expenditure has increased in absolute figures and the backlog has recently decreased, the share of investment in municipal budgets is trending downward. The shift to other expenditure categories could thus be to the detriment of municipal infrastructure. Ongoing material expenditure merits particular attention: Maintenance activities are necessary but cannot substitute construction investment in the long run as this may result in high follow-up costs. The backlog of investment demonstrates that municipalities continue to have a substantial need for construction investment as well.

Declining municipal investment backlog – a trend reversal or just a temporary breather?(PDF, 186 KB, non-accessible)