14.15 Regionalism & Collaboration as an Alternative to Fragmentation

Regionalism refers to efforts by neighboring local governments within a metropolitan area or region to work together on shared issues such as transportation, housing, land use, and economic development. Regionalism can take many forms, ranging from informal cooperation to full political consolidation. The goal is to improve efficiency, coordination, and equity in how services are delivered across communities.

One type of regionalism is consolidation, in which several smaller local governments combine into a single, larger government. Researchers such as Anthony Downs have argued that consolidation can reduce inefficiencies and inequalities caused by fragmented local government structures. In theory, fewer and larger local governments can eliminate redundant services and improve resource management. For example, instead of maintaining 50 separate HR or public works departments within one county, three or four regional departments could serve the same area more efficiently.

Examples of successful consolidation include Nashville and Louisville, where city and county governments merged to form unified metropolitan governments. These efforts have led to more coordinated planning and service delivery.

Other forms of regionalism are less formal. Some communities use interlocal cooperation, where local governments share services or coordinate on specific issues—such as joint fire protection districts, regional SWAT teams, joint purchasing agreements, or shared budget offices. This type of regionalism allows each municipality to retain its independence while gaining the benefits of collaboration.

Regionalism can also promote greater equity. When local governments collaborate or consolidate, resources can be distributed more evenly between affluent and lower-income areas. Wealthier communities often have more resources, while others struggle to fund basic services. Regional cooperation can help reduce these disparities and create more balanced opportunities for residents across an entire region.

However, this transfer of money and resources from one community to another also presents a significant political obstacle to regional cooperation. Communities are often reluctant to support initiatives that redirect their tax dollars to benefit other jurisdictions. Many residents and local leaders fear losing control over how their revenues are spent, particularly if they believe their community is being asked to subsidize services in another.

As a result, even when regionalism promises greater efficiency and fairness, it can be difficult to gain public or political support, especially for consolidation.