Issue

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Overview of Issue

The outward expansion of urban growth across the administrative borders began in the 1960’s in most European cities. Sub urbanisation has strengthened the functional relations between central cities and their suburban hinterlands. However the administrative borders and/or arrangements often do not ease the co-operation, but in the contrary slow it down or encourage competition and the realisation of unsustainable development trends.

Cities are often perceived as areas that are tightly defined by their administrative boundaries, rather than being identified as part of a wider city-region with multidimensional links with their hinterland and particularly with the surrounding rural areas. This perception is reflected in the way cities are managed. Potential reciprocal benefits do not always materialize due to political and administrative obstacles and the fragmentation of competencies.

Last Updated

13th January 2005