The distinctive paths of metropolitan cooperation emergence and their main actors in selected metropolitan areas of Central Europe

Abstract

The theoretical basis for discussing the conditions of metropolitan cooperation draws on references to models such as the triple, quadruple, or quintuple helix, which illustrate the complexity of relations among administration, the private sector, science, and society. The aim of the article is to analyze the paths through which metropolitan cooperation emerges and to characterize its main actors. The analyses cover 7 metropolitan areas and describe 14 different forms of metropolitan dialogue and cooperation. The results were obtained as part of the broader MECOG-CE project, “Strengthening Metropolitan Cooperation and Governance in Central Europe”, financed by Interreg-CE (2023–2026). The methodological section discusses the project’s research assumptions and the tool used in the form of a matrix to identify best practices that strengthen metropolitan cooperation. This approach enabled the identification of various pathways for creating metropolitan structures. Three main categories were used, focusing on (1) the forms of cooperation, (2) the process of its development, and (3) the main actors. The results indicate that there are three primary forms of cooperation and dialogue: (1) formal structures within national legal regulations, (2) associations and institutional agreements, and (3) informal structures – spontaneous initiatives without clear boundaries or formalization. Meanwhile, the process of developing cooperation may follow different, more or less evolutionary paths, and various regulations can support cooperation and provide financing. The findings highlight the diversity of actors involved in metropolitan cooperation, including residents, which contributes to the emergence of new initiatives and increases the sense of attachment to the area.