Territorial Review Copenhagen - Region Hovedstaden

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Copenhagen Authority, representing one of the many models for
metropolitan governance within the OECD (see Box 3.2).
Box 3.2. Metropolitan governance in OECD countries
The discussion of how to manage metropolitan regions revolves around a
spectrum of models that range from relatively ―heavy‖ to relatively ―light‖ in
terms of the scope of the reform they involve. At the relatively heavy end are
functional models whereby governance structures are reshaped to fit or
approximate to the functional economic area of the metropolitan region.
Examples include the creation of a metropolitan government and the
amalgamation of municipalities. Several metropolitan areas in Canada, for
example, have been subject to amalgamation processes. Among the best-known
metropolitan governments are the Greater London Authority, the Stuttgart
Regional Association and the Portland metropolitan district.
In mid-position are a wide range of co-operative arrangements through intermunicipal
joint authorities, most often on a voluntary basis, such as sectoral or
multi-sectoral agencies whose main functions generally include transport, urban
planning or economic development. The governance of US metropolitan regions
is notable for a profusion of regional special districts: one-third of all local
governments in the United States are special districts or school districts. Wellknown
multi-sectoral inter-municipal bodies include for example the Greater
Vancouver Regional District and the agglomeration communities and urban
communities in France.
At the light end are informal co-ordination bodies such as platforms,
associations or strategic planning partnerships, often relying on existing
networks of relevant actors without necessarily following the logic of territorial
boundaries. Examples include the association of the Lyon Urban Region and the
Ruhr District Association of Local Government Authorities.
Source: OECD (2006), Competitive Cities in the Global Economy, OECD, Paris
Metropolitan co-ordination by the Capital Region is a delicate task,
considering the need for the co-operation of municipalities that sometimes
have conflicting interests, and the limited amount of policy instruments at
the region‘s disposal. The task of the regions that comes closest to regional
co-ordination is in regional business development co-ordination through the
Regional Growth Forums, which help to articulate regional needs and policy
directions. Business, education, labour organisations and local and regional
governments are represented and help to co-ordinate with municipal
governments in the region. Although the Capital Region does not have many