The rise of the metropolitan city region? exploring the establishment of new levels of local government in England and france

Abstract

This article develops a comparative analysis of the recent processes of creation of metropolitan governments for large city regions in two European countries: England and France. We consider the evolutions which led to these reforms which aim at the reorganisation of the sub-national territories of public action. Although coinciding in time, the new forms of metropolitan government are embedded in specific institutional systems. It is our contention that, far from being a response only to the management of city regions, the institution of metropolitan governments is part of a wider project of the national government of the country concerned. Comparative analysis focuses on the motivations of the main actors of metropolitan reforms: government, parliament and local elected officials. Our analysis then focuses on several key issues: Do the reforms carried out constitute a radical change or do they proceed by successive increments? Are there any quid pro quos granted by the state in return for the implementation of metropolitan reforms (for example, greater autonomy and/or financial support)? Finally, we analyse the capacity to act and the spatiality of the new metropolitan governments in both countries.