Metropolitan Region and Governance in the Pearl River Delta

In the last few decades, as metropolitan regions continued to develop into megalopolises, governing such areas has become a key academic and practical issue in many countries. Scholars and policy makers point to metropolitan and regional governance as a major factor enhancing economic competitiveness, promoting social integration, and creating new governance models. The Pearl River Delta (PRD) region is one of the most developed and dynamic regions in China and has formed several mega-city regions to face the challenges and opportunities of the global economy. This paper examines metropolitan regions in the PRD region and studies their economic development, transportation planning, and urban management policies. An integrated and collaborative governance model is proposed to help facilitate communication and coordination among public, private, and nonprofit organizations in urban regions. The findings in this study will help develop an innovative networked governance model to address common regional issues.