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 The remaining use of “municipality” was superseded by the word “district” following the introduction of the 1972 Local Government in 1974.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
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.
Setting Expectations on Competence Management
Industry Competence Committee.
New Scottish and Welsh governments
CIOB stresses importance of construction after new parliament elections.
The sad story of Derby Hippodrome
An historic building left to decay.
ECA, JIB and JTL back Fabian Society call to invest in skills for a stronger built environment workforce.
Women's Contributions to the Built Environment.
Calls for the delayed Circular Economy Strategy
Over 50 leading businesses, trade associations and professional bodies, including CIAT, and UKGBC sign open letter.
The future workforce: culture change and skill
Under the spotlight at UK Construction Week London.
A landmark moment for postmodern heritage.
A safe energy transition – ECA launches a new Charter
Practical policy actions to speed up low carbon adoption while maintaining installation safety and competency.
Frank Duffy: Researcher and Practitioner
Reflections on achievements and relevance to the wider research and practice communities.
The 2026 Compliance Landscape: Fire doors
Why 'Business as Usual' is a Liability.
Cutting construction carbon footprint by caring for soil
Is construction neglecting one of the planet’s most powerful carbon stores and one of our greatest natural climate allies.
ARCHITECTURE: How's it progressing?
Archiblogger posing questions of a historical and contextual nature.