The Quest for Regional Cooperation

The Quest for Regional Cooperation: A Study of the New York Metropolitan Regional Council provides an in-depth analysis of the challenges and prospects of intergovernmental collaboration in one of the world’s most complex metropolitan regions. The book examines the historical evolution, structural challenges, and political dynamics of regional councils of government (COGs), focusing on the Metropolitan Regional Council (MRC) in the tri-state New York City area. As urbanization has expanded, local governments have struggled to address pressing concerns such as transportation, environmental protection, housing, and infrastructure that transcend jurisdictional boundaries. The study offers a critical exploration of how voluntary cooperation among local governments has emerged as a pragmatic alternative to structural governmental reforms, navigating the tension between local autonomy and regional necessity.

Through detailed case studies and comparative analysis, the book situates the MRC within the broader national movement of councils of government, highlighting their rise as essential mechanisms for urban planning and problem-solving. The research underscores the political and institutional obstacles that have historically hindered the effectiveness of regional councils, from intergovernmental rivalries to financial constraints and shifting federal policies. By examining the failures and revival efforts of the New York MRC, the book provides valuable insights for policymakers, planners, and scholars interested in regional governance. It argues that while regional councils face significant hurdles, they remain crucial instruments for fostering cooperation in an era of increasing metropolitan interdependence, offering a model for collaborative governance in other urban centers facing similar challenges.

This title is part of UC Press's Voices Revived program, which commemorates University of California Press’s mission to seek out and cultivate the brightest minds and give them voice, reach, and impact. Drawing on a backlist dating to 1893, Voices Revived makes high-quality, peer-reviewed scholarship accessible once again using print-on-demand technology. This title was originally published in 1969.