Effective metropolitan governance is essential to the achievement of a better urban balance between metropolitan areas sought by the European Union, as it extends to the wider Europe. A sustainable approach to European metropolitan strategies will involve compact urban forms and mixed-use, public transport-oriented development focused on city and town centres. A polycentric approach of this kind within metropolitan areas will also require effective metropolitan governance.
The Governance Expert Group was active until around 2023. At that time, it agreed to broaden its scope by incorporating the topic of strategies and to rename the group Governance & Strategies Expert Group. However, the group did not resume its activities thereafter. The METREX Spring Conference held in Gipuzkoa from 5 to 7 November 2025, provided an opportunity to relaunch the group from scratch.
The first proposal was to integrate the Expert Group’s work more closely with METREX activities linked to two EU-funded projects: MECOG-CE and MetroCase.
What do METREX members expect?
Members highlighted the need for renewed discussion on governance and strategic thinking, supported by practical conceptual tools that link long-term strategies with real-world experimentation. A strong emphasis was placed on collecting and sharing evidence to strengthen policy documents and to support more effective advocacy at EU and national levels—making the role of metropolitan areas more visible through data-driven and spatial arguments. Key expectations also include benchmarking innovative strategies and fostering peer learning through city-to-city exchanges. Members are particularly interested in exchanging know-how on multilevel governance, integrated and market-sensitive strategies, stakeholder-driven approaches (including triple- and quadruple-helix models), balanced investment frameworks, and stronger involvement of mayors.
Next steps include:
– Creating a shared online library within the METREX website,
– Organising dedicated knowledge-exchange sessions (including space to reflect on less successful experiences), and
– Exploring the use of AI tools for knowledge management and analysis.
Finally, the group may also address broader trends, such as evolving national metropolitan regulations, political dynamics within metropolitan regions, major investment priorities, and emerging approaches to resource-oriented autonomy.
Key contact
Group Leaders
Łukasz Medeksza
City of Wrocław, Poland
Contact at the Secretariat
Viviana Rubbo
Events and Expert Groups manager, METREX
viviana.rubbo@eurometrex.org
