About
World Metropolitan Day is held every year on 14 October, commemorating the adoption of the Montreal Declaration on Metropolitan Areas.
Metropolisation in numbers
1.8 billion people live in cities with a population of over 1 million
Metropolitan growth will be strongest in the Global South
At least 10 cities will have +50 million inhabitants by 2100
A metropolis is more than just a city and it’s central core. It is a complex and interconnected system that requires integrated management.
How are metropolises governed?
Most metropolitan areas are the result of many cycles of urban development. As cities have grown beyond their original boundaries, their governance has become more complicated and fragmented.
To govern effectively, governments need to understand the metropolitan area on three levels:
As a system
A metropolis is more than just a city. It encompasses a city’s surrounding areas and communities. It is a complicated and interdependent system, with strong economic, social, cultural and environmental links.
As part of an ecosystem
Cities are part of an ecosystem, meaning that they impact and rely on their surroundings. The metropolitan perspective recognises that cities are not fundamentally distinct from their surroundings.
As a global player
Metropolises are key stakeholders in global affairs because of their scope, size, economic and cultural significance. They have an important role to play in tackling global challenges such as climate change or public health.