Baladiyah (Arab Union)

The constitution of the Arab Union provides for three levels of government, of which a baladiyah (Arabic: بلدية baladiyah, plur. بلديات baladiyāt; variably translated as township, commune or municipality) forms the lower level, used for local government purposes. Each baladiyah is administered by an elected local council, responsible for all local public services (those not provided by either level of government above) therein, making it a type of unitary authority. Many local councils, especially within urban areas, establish jointly with neighbouring councils one or more combined authorities, to which specific council functions are delegated, allowing all participating baladiyāt to pool funds, expertise and other resources, thereby making possible more efficient, coordinated, uniform and higher quality deliverance of services.