2. Evaluation of Amalgamations Reforms

The chapter 'Evaluation of Amalgamations Reforms' delves into the intricate history and impacts of municipal amalgamations, using the City of Timmins-Porcupine as a case study. It begins by detailing the 1973 amalgamation of 31 townships into a single city, highlighting the controversial boundary changes and the ongoing debates surrounding the reforms. The chapter then classifies amalgamation reforms into top-down and voluntary types, discussing their varying impacts on economic efficiency, managerial effects, and political and democratic consequences. It emphasizes the mixed results of cost savings and the common pool problems that often arise before mergers. Additionally, it explores the redistributive effects and shifts in power balance within amalgamated municipalities, as well as the challenges related to local identity and citizen satisfaction. The chapter concludes by identifying key gaps in the current literature and suggesting areas for future research, making it a valuable resource for scholars and practitioners in the field of public administration and urban planning.