GOLD Report I - UCLG

CONCLUSION298 United Cities and Local GovernmentsOnly a small handful of countries in thesouth have framed a long term strategy tobuild capacity at the local level. These circumstancesleave local governments weakand provide a convenient justification fornations to hold position in the stalematedtug of war.III. Metropolitan GovernmentsCities that are comprised of more than onelocal governmental unit are of special concernto decentralization and democracy.Virtually every regional report, in additionto the dedicated chapter on metropolitangovernance, calls attention to the specialproblems of large, multi-jurisdictional cities.National strategies and actions arehobbled by the lack of understandingabout feasible approaches to horizontalcooperation among governments in largecities. The changing global environment,coupled with rapid city growth, have oftenmade institutional arrangements obsoletesoon after they are promulgated.Definition: Numbers and GrowthMuch attention has been paid to the growingurban population, and to the peakcities in the demographic pyramid –theso-called mega-cities of 10 million ormore in population. More attention needsto be paid to the growth in the number oflarge cities – those of a million or more inpopulation. Cities in this size-class numberedaround 200 in the latter part of the20th century. They will reach more than500 by 2015 (Table 3). These are allmetropolitan cities in the sense that theyare either of great economic importance(Douala, Cameroon) in their countries; orare centers of cultural heritage or religioustradition; or because they arenational capitals (Rabat), or all of thesethings. Many cities have special regimes(Abuja), but not a metropolitan government.Virtually all cities in this group arecomprised of more than one municipality,and often involve many units of localgovernment. Only about a quarter ofmetro cities are in advanced economies.Emerging Features of Metro Cities:Flatter, More Fragmented,In CompetitionThree features about growing metropolitanareas add new challenges to decentralizedgovernance and democraticchoice-making. First, metro cities are spreadingout. Angel et al (2005) have recentlyreported that average densities are fallingin cities around the globe, and particularlyin the developing regions. Angel’s data areTable 3 Cities by population size, 2015Size range World total Less Developed More Developed10 M > 21 17 45-10 M 37 31 61-5 M 496 378 1180.5-1 M 507 400 107Total >500.000 1.061 826 235Source: National Research Council 2003.