Metropolitan governance in the urban age: trends and questions

Abstract

Humanity has entered the 'urban age'. Most people live in cities, especially the large, complex metropolitan regions that are centres of the world economy. Effective governance of metro regions is surely critical to economic productivity and to human well-being. But this idea is contested by those opposing urban regulation. This paper reviews evidence that demonstrates the substantial net benefits of effective metropolitan scale planning. The cases of Melbourne and Dublin are considered. It then outlines principles for reform, including the need for explicit metropolitan governance structures. © 2012 Elsevier B.V.