Europeanising Metropolitan Regions: The European Dimension of Metropolitan Policies in Lyon and Stuttgart

Abstract

The first empirical chapter analyses policies in two metropolitan regions, Lyon and Stuttgart, with respect to their European dimension as well as Europeanisation processes. The empirical analysis of European strategies in metropolitan regions is guided by three research questions. First, the discussion intends to answer the extent to which metropolitan policies have changed, in particular, with regard to including a European dimension. Accordingly, the first part of each case study gives a diachronic overview of selected metropolitan policies which refers to Europe as a metaphor or aim to influence and apply European policies. Second, channels of Europeanisation that contribute to the European orientation of metropolitan policies are identified. In a third step, attention turns to the extent to which policy learning and reframing processes are involved in the Europeanisation of metropolitan policies. Section 8.1 then compares the two European strategies of Lyon and Stuttgart with regard to policy change and Europeanisation processes as well as possible explanations.