Paper/Speech Details of Conference Program for the 26th NISPAcee Annual Conference Program Overview Main Conference Theme Author(s) Bogdana Neamtu Babes-Bolyai University Cluj-Napoca Romania Hintea Calin, Stanica Viorel, Title Sustainable Development for Metropolitan Areas in Romania: A Plea in favor of Functional Specialization File Paper files are available only for conference participants, please login first. Presenter Bogdana Neamtu Abstract This paper endeavors to investigate how the functioning of metropolitan areas can be improved in Romania, given the legal and financial constrains which currently exist with regard to the establishment and functioning of these areas. Throughout Europe, secondary cities are becoming the driving force of national economies. In addition, these cities are credited to be able to generate growth and enhance the quality of life for the surrounding communities, mostly rural, which are expected to achieve a certain level of integration with the city. This paper critically examines the functioning of Cluj-Napoca metropolitan area and questions whether or not the existing legal framework is conducive to real cooperation, which can benefit both the city and the rural communities. Based on a qualitative research (interviews with mayors from all the communities which are part of the Cluj-Napoca metropolitan area), the authors argue that the entire logic of local cooperation needs to be re-discussed. We argue in favor of a functional structuring of the cooperation, which means that each community needs to have a clear role within various possible networks which are occurring within the metropolitan area. The final goal of the analysis is to produce a policy paper for the authorities at the metropolitan level to help them guide in the future the development of this area based on functional specialization.
