Autarquias locais e gestão do território. Que diferença faz o partido político?

LOCAL GOVERNMENT AND URBAN MANAGEMENT, DOES POLITICS MATTER? - This article develops our earlier analysis of the influence of political parties on the definition and implementation of municipal policies. It starts with an analysis of the literature, mainly from the areas of Political Science, Sociology and Political Geography, reviewing methods and results there presented. The Portuguese case is then analysed, using different types of statistical indicators to measure policy performance.The main thesis is that, in Portugal, the political party effect is relevant to the definition and implementation of municipal policies and actions. Nevertheless, in the end of this period, the municipal policy profile is less differentiated in each category of municipalities than in the years just after the Revolution