Metropolitan areas and cities
They enjoy a form of autonomy allowing them to integrate economic resources and services provided by a regional capital city and neighbouring municipalities.
Metropolitan areas
Metropolitan areas, as provided for by the legislative decree no. 267 dated 2000, are the municipalities of the following cities: Turin, Milan, Venice, Genoa, Bologna, Florence, Rome, Bari, Naples and neighbouring municipalities sharing common needs in terms of territory, economy, service supply and cultural relations.
A metropolitan area is established by the region encompassing its territory upon suggestion from interested municipalities. Metropolitan areas and cities of regions with a special statute are governed by an ad hoc legislation.
Metropolitan cities
Municipalities of capital cities and neighbouring municipalities belonging to metropolitan areas may form metropolitan cities, as envisaged by constitutional law. The initiative is subject to a referendum in each municipality concerned. If more than half voters are favourable, the initiative is submitted to Parliament for final approval by the adoption of a law.
A metropolitan city formed according to this procedure acquires the same functions as those of a province, implements forms of decentralisation as provided for under its statute, whilst maintaining the identity of local communities.
