The emerging role of metropolitan cities in federations

Abstract

City-regions or large metropolitan cities are a rapidly growing phenomenon in developing countries. They are also seen as a key mechanism to the development and growth trajectories of those countries, particularly in the age of globalisation. However, metropolitan governments are often not geared towards and enabled to perform this function due to political and structural constraints. These issues are also germane to metropolitan cities located in federations. The challenge facing federations is to adapt their legal/constitutional architecture and practice of intergovernmental relations to ensure that metropolitan cities can play their developmental role. The principles and practices of federalism are uniquely suited to accommodate the emerging role of metropolitan cities.