Spatial Policies for Metropolitan Regions—Identity, Participation and Integration

Abstract

In times of globalization the attention of spatial planning obviously changes from rural to metropolitan regions. This change of perspective goes along with the expectation that metropolitan regions are key factors for a dynamic development of the nation as a whole. This article refers to metropolitan strategies in Germany and considers one special strategy element in greater detail: spatial planning completed a policy for metropolitan regions as a 'top down' approach. In addition, a network of German Metropolitan Regions was established from below. Recently the members of this network have prepared a common strategy paper that includes eight demands for metropolitan strategies. One of the demands is dedicated to regional identity, participation and integration. Aspects concerning this demand are discussed in this article.