PPPs in Palestinian Municipal Activities as Perceived by Stakeholders

Abstract

This research aims to examine the possibility of applying the concept of private participation in managing the municipal business activities including utilities' services in the Palestinian local government units. In order to fulfill the stated purposes of this study, two special questionnaires were articulated and directed to one hundred municipal citizens and 140 municipal stakeholders from local governments and other related agencies. The study found that almost all forms of PPP experiences existed in the Palestinian municipalities at low scale level. The study found that the majority of municipal citizens still prefer that the municipalities own and operate the majority of municipal activities and projects, while private participation should be limited to operating some selected municipal projects in yearly or long term contracts. Finally, this study concluded that the majority of municipal officials including municipal directors are less enthusiastic compared to other stakeholders regarding the partnership with the private sector for both operating the essential services as well as other business projects.

Keywords: local government, private participation, PPP, Palestine, local authorities