Metropolregion

A Metropolregion, or metropolitan region, is a spatial planning concept used to describe a large urban center together with its surrounding areas that function as an integrated economic and infrastructural unit. The core city typically provides a high concentration of employment, services, and cultural institutions, while the surrounding municipalities contribute to and share in a common labor market, housing, transportation networks, and environmental resources. The precise boundaries are not fixed and vary by country or region, reflecting functional links rather than legal borders.

In practice, metropolregions aim to coordinate development across municipalities to improve mobility, housing, economic potential, and sustainable growth. They emphasize interconnected transport systems, energy and digital infrastructure, education and research networks, housing policy, and coordinated land use planning. By pooling resources and aligning strategies, metropolregions seek to attract investment, raise competitiveness, and balance urban growth with regional opportunities.

Governance structures for metropolregions are often formed as formal associations, councils, or planning bodies that comprise representatives from municipalities, districts, and sometimes neighboring regions. These entities facilitate cross-border cooperation, apply for regional and national funding, and implement joint projects. The exact competences and funding mechanisms depend on national or state legislation, and boundaries can evolve with changing commuting patterns and economic ties.

Examples include Metropolregion Rhein-Neckar, Metropolregion Berlin-Brandenburg, and Metropolregion München in German-speaking areas. The concept is used in various countries under different terms, but the underlying idea is to manage and develop an urban region as a cohesive economic and social space.