Last week the 200-odd local governments that constitute the Paris Métropole syndicate concluded their public consultation on restructuring the administration of the metropolitan area. Kerwin Datu reflects on the available options for reuniting la petite ville-musée with its extensive suburbs.
Sebastian Schulz describes how decentralisation without fiscal powers is encouraging districts to undermine the master plan and overdevelop their territories.
Anna Leidreiter describes how the city of Oakland is building the circular metabolic systems required to turn the concept of regenerative cities into a reality.
Andrew Stevens and Jonas Schorr argue that instead of grandiose schemes like a global senate of mayors, we must concentrate on creating popular demand for city networking, and giving more power and visibility to existing efforts.
The UK government is abolishing Regional Spatial Strategies, giving greater power to local governments. But with many cross-regional issues remaining, will they be able to fulfil their new roles?
Sebastian Schulz holds an MSc in Urban and Regional Planing Management and works as an urban planner and GIS analyst at BUP in Dusseldorf.
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The Global Urbanist is an online magazine reviewing urban affairs and urban development issues in cities throughout the developed and developing world.
Its readers are drawn from the urban policy and international development sectors, and include urban planners, officers in local, national or international government agencies, civil society leaders, and researchers.
