The Regional Governing of Metropolitan America

Economic regions competing in a global marketplace describes the future organizing principle of urban regions. This emerging principle contrasts sharply with the historical notion of regions as the informal area in which geo-political bounded municipalities operating in an intergovernmental framework. As such, we are becoming a planet of regions and some regions are moving faster to incorporate new ways of governing than others.Regional Governance of Metropolitan Americacompares and contrasts governance strategies being adopted or are being considered in regions throughout North America. These strategies find their final tests in dealing with issues such as the deep socio-economic gulf between poor cities and affluent suburbs, physical sprawl from urban growth and its environmental and social consequences, and America's hesitation in creating effective systems of coordinated governance for city-states. Utilizing an historical review of the development of the current legal framework within which municipalities have been organized, the book then examines the competing theoretical frameworks, assessing what makes for a "successful" governance strategy in a region.

David Y. Miller received his Ph.D in Public Policy and Analysis from the University of Pittsburgh. He is the author of several papers focusing on regional governance, regional financing of urban services, and municipal fiscal distress. His current research pursuit is identifying how different political sub-cultures in American society shape the development of regional solutions to local problems. Dr. Miller has served as the Director of the Office of Management and Budget for the City of Pittsburgh, and Managing Director of the Pennsylvania Economy League. He currently serves on the Board of Directors of the Local Government Academy, The Three Rivers Labor Management Committee, Conflict Resolution Center International, and as the advisor to the Government Finance Officers Association Budget and Finance Committee. David Y. Miller is an associate dean and associate professor with the Graduate School of Public and International Affairs at the University of Pittsburgh.