Why is regionalism important




















Regionalism is certainly not new, however, it is becoming the norm. Twenty or more years ago the enduring mentality was more to each his own. While we frequently share Information and resources we still do not act as collaboratively as we should. The ever growing importance of regionalism can be seen as services such as water and sewer are merged together and local officials frequently join together to plan, discuss and lobby for large infrastructure projects.

I chose this topic because as a former Town Manager I have seen changes in local government most of which have been very good for us all. I do believe local government in North Carolina is generally responsive and efficient and as citizens we can be proud of the communities we live in and the government officials that serve us.

However, dedicated the majority of these government leaders are it is clear to me that they need more assistance. More and more I see that assistance coming from other governments in the form of regionalism. I think we are seeing this because of one overarching reason and that is in the majority of cases it just works and leads to better results.

The need for regionalism or areawide planning and coordination is rooted in a number of related challenges in metropolitan areas, with parallels in the more rural regions within the state:. Therefore, the benefits from regionalism and regional approaches to planning and coordination of services come from the effectiveness and efficiency of pooling resources, and from utilizing the available structure and capacity within regional development organizations.

These regional entities have the areawide leadership and governance framework, program diversity and capacity, and long-term strategic focus to serve as the lead entities to better integrate federal community and economic development, housing, land use and transportation planning, environmental and resource planning, and project development. In Wisconsin, regional planning commissions have been providing solutions to the challenges outlined above for over 4 decades.

The following list outlines some of these solutions in more detail:. The need for regionalism or areawide planning and coordination is rooted in a number of related challenges in metropolitan areas, with parallels in the more rural regions within the state: In metropolitan areas some problems cannot be solved within municipal boundaries, and decisions made by one municipality can have adverse impacts on other municipalities and the environment.

While land has traditionally been divided by political boundaries, to allow more efficient provision of government services and democratic representation, this has not lent itself very well to effective management of natural resources, urban infrastructure, and other multi-jurisdictional systems. Pollution and inefficient use of resources and infrastructure land, water, air, habitat, fisheries, roads, utilities etc.

Areawide resource management agencies and regional governments have therefore become necessary in most metropolitan areas. This approach is aimed at maintaining local input and decision-making while addressing the shortcomings of fragmented governmental authority when numerous cities, villages, and towns compose a metropolitan area.

Especially in fast growing metropolitan areas the problems, challenges, and opportunities associated with urban development need to be cooperatively addressed and resolved. In more rural regions, this shortcoming hampers coordination of services and achieving efficiency of operations and economies of scale.

Regional coordination and planning is also crucial for the success of undertakings that are too large or complex for any one unit of government to address. Issues such as economic development, solid waste disposal, groundwater management, and preservation of the quality of life in the region are examples of challenges that require regional cooperation.

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