Our work
We provide global leadership and advocacy to build a case for the importance of sound metropolitan governance. Our programmes give metropolitan communities tools and insights to make better decisions taking into consideration an intersectional perspective.
How we drive impact
Action to advance global Agendas
World Metropolitan Day
Every 14 October, World Metropolitan Day commemorates the adoption of the Montreal Declaration on Metropolitan Areas by providing a global forum that brings together metropolises from all over the world to promote collective action to create resilience, advance social justice and develop better public services for all our urban spaces.
Advancing gender equality
From a cross-cutting approach, we reach a good governance by promoting the incorporation of gender equality at the center of urban and metropolitan policies and advocate for the inclusion of gender equality in global agendas
Guangzhou Award
The Guangzhou International Award for Urban Innovation is co-sponsored by the City of Guangzhou, Metropolis and UCLG. It aims to recognize innovation in improving social, economic and environmental sustainability in cities and regions and, in so doing, to advance the prosperity and quality of life of their citizens.
Knowledge for Metropolitan Governance
USE - Urban Sustainability Exchange
This online platform is dedicated to promoting sustainable urban development. You will find case studies with a detailed description including background, challenges, lessons learned, impacts and an assessment of the transferability potential to another location as well as contact details of the experts involved.
Learning Station
The space where public officials with a technical or political profile find all training content on different topics related to metropolitan governance. Social cohesion, mobility, water management, smart cities and e-government, gender equality or financing are some of the issues addressed during our sessions.
Metropolis Observatory
Through the use of data, indicators and knowledge generation, we encourage reflection on the phenomenon of metropolisation in the world, relating it to the implementation of global agendas. Led by the Metropolitan Area of Barcelona, the observatory is organized into a collection of:
Emergency Governance Initiative
In-depth analysis of the governance implications of emergency response and recovery strategies of our urban territories. Jointly with UCLG and LSE Cities, Metropolis aims to gather insights on how to build institutional capacities for more effective urban and territorial responses to complex emergencies and the governance of grand challenges.
Exchange and Collaboration
Solutions Labs
Solutions Labs bring cities together around a common metropolitan challenge. Each lab connects renowned topic experts with participants, leverage the experiences of the participating city, and complement them with external expertise and relevant examples.
City Managers Community
This community is an exclusive space for senior public officials who are in charge of the day-to-day management of pressing issues in major cities and metropolitan areas to learn from each other’s experiences and knowledge. It is an initiative founded by the Metropolitan Area of Barcelona
Local and Regional Action
Metropolis triggers cooperation among multiple stakeholders such as local and regional governments, international organizations, civil society, the academia and private sector to advance sustainable development at the local and regional scale.
Pilot Projects
Spaces to explore and exchange on the challenges of metropolization from a cross-sectoral approach (local governments, private and academic sectors, grassroots communities, …). Through the pilot projects, we provided funding to support capacity development and the exchange of knowledge and practices in metropolitan management.