Municipal
In very broad terms, the word “municipal” relates to a town, city or district, or to the governing body of a town, city or district (as opposed to the governing body of a country).
The word “municipality” refers to a jurisdiction such as a town, city or district that has its own powers of self-government, granted by national legislation. It can also refer to a sovereign state, such as the Principality of Monaco.
It is derived from the Latin “municipium” which relates to “duty holders”.
In the UK, the term was historically used to refer to “..a city or town which is organized for self-government under a municipal corporation, and also for the governing body itself.”
Municipal boroughs were a type of local government district which existed in England and Wales between 1835 and 1974. The Municipal Corporations Act 1835 reformed the government of towns, with the introduction of municipal boroughs governed by an elected town council of a mayor, aldermen and councillors.
The Local Government Act 1958 allowed small municipal boroughs to be absorbed into surrounding rural districts, becoming rural boroughs. The remaining use of “municipality” was superseded by the word “district” following the introduction of the 1972 Local Government in 1974.
[edit] Related articles on Designing Buildings
- City.
- Combined authorities.
- Conurbation.
- Megacity.
- Megalopolis.
- Metropolis.
- Metropolitan counties.
- Municipal Dreams: the rise and fall of council housing.
- Municipal energy - briefing sheet.
- Municipal energy.
- Municipal solid waste.
- Rural.
- Smart city.
- Tempe Municipal Building.
- Town.
- Types of city.
- Urban.
Featured articles and news
We're expanding our collaborative mission by launching DB Intelligence, an exclusive market research advisory panel. Built environment professionals can now get paid to share their expertise on industry trends, products and services.
Panel members receive direct financial incentives for participating in research projects like short surveys, 1-2-1 interviews and focus groups. Register today to shape the future of the construction sector.
Building Control Independent Panel final report
A precis of a key report led by Dame Hackitt with full recommendations and link to the government response.
Guide to ISO 19650 for Architecture Firms (2026)
A user gives their low down.
A UK training and membership provider for mould remediation professionals.
Building Safety recap April, 2026
A short and longer run-through of the month, with links to further information and sources.
CIAT May 2026 briefing.
Independent NSI and BAFE study exploring how organisations are changing the way they buy fire safety services.
From medieval scribes to modern word art.
ECA welcomes crackdown on late payment and push for clean energy, whilst CIOB seek fixed cladding removal timeframes.
Cyber Security in the Built Environment
Protecting projects, data, and digital assets: A CIOB Academy TIS.
Managing competence in the built environment
ITFG publishes new industry guide on how to meet the ICC principles.
The UK's campaign to reduce noise pollution: Mythbusting, articles and topic guides.