ABSTRACT
The application of microcomputers to municipal management is moving slowly. Four important roles are emerging; in order of importance they are: records management, financial analysis, geographical information management and staff training. Municipalities provide a variety of basic services, such as water, sanitation, electricity, and transportation. To plan for their use, a geographical information database showing underground pipes and electric power lines, must be developed. Research Triangle Institute has developed a microcomputer program for property tax records management designed specifically for secondary cities in developing countries. One of the more important areas of application of microprocessor-based special purpose machines for municipalities is in geographic information systems, which allow the integration and manipulation of geographic, socioeconomic, and statistical data, from maps, tables, graphs, photos, and other images, to produce mapping displays suitable either as cartographic end products or for additional analysis. Municipalities should look first at the revenue-generating applications that can fund additional management improvements.
