The structure of government, including the number of units of government and the manner in which public functions are allocated among them, is a significant distinguishing characteristic of regions. There have been long-standing debates about the effectiveness, the efficiency, and the responsiveness of different approaches to organizing government in metropolitan areas. Until recently, most advocates of "regionalism" focused on proposals for regional government. While there has been a shift to an emphasis on governance, the particular structure of government in a metropolitan area will influence efforts to achieve regional cooperation.

The two tables on local government units (Local Government Units and Local Government Units Per 100,000 Population) demonstrate how much variation exists among the 20 metropolitan areas in this study. Greater Philadelphia has 877 units of local government, or 17.8 per 100,000 residents. Richmond has a total of 32 governmental units, or 3.6 per 100,000 residents. The Greater Baltimore region has the least governmental units per 100,000, with 2.8, and has a total of 68. In fact, the Greater Baltimore region is characterized by strong county governments, with Baltimore City as the equivalent of a county, and very few incorporated municipalities within those counties. There are no independent school districts and few special purpose districts. Some view a small number of governments as an advantage in trying to achieve regional cooperation, while others see those very powerful governments as an obstacle to significant collaboration.

STRUCTURE OF GOVERNMENT CHARTS

• Local Government Units, 1992
• Local Government Units Per 100,000 Population, 1992