The Metropolis Association offers many opportunities for international cooperation. It provides a framework for the exchange of technical skills and for the development of relationships between member cities. Metropolis carries out many different activities. These include:

• Triennial Congresses
• Standing Commissions
• Technical Assistance
• Training
• Meetings of the Association's Board of Directors and the Executive Committee
• Publications, Reports and Newsletters

Triennial congresses

Every three years, Metropolis holds a major international congress, which sets the pace for the Association. Contributing to deepening the understanding of metropolitan issues and fostering cooperation between its members, the congresses encourage dialogue on numerous aspects of urban development, including economic, social and spatial issues. Between each congress, members of Metropolis work in groups with other member cities on thematic research projects. Conclusions from the work of the commissions are presented at the congresses in workshops that are open to the public. Congresses are attended by members of Metropolis and any members of the public who have an interest in urban planning and development issues.

To date, the following Metropolis congresses have been held.

• Metropolis 2008 "Connecting Cities", held in Sydney, Australia
• Metropolis 2005 "Tradition and transformation: the future of the city," held in Berlin, Germany
• Metropolis 2002, 'Metropolitan Governance in the New Millennium", held in Seoul, Korea.
• Metropolis '99, 'A network of cities for world citizens' held in Barcelona, Spain.
• Metropolis '96, 'Metropolis for the people, seeking a solidarity among world citizens', held in Tokyo, Japan.
• Metropolis '93, 'The citizen and sustainable
  development', held in Montreal, Canada.
• Metropolis '90, 'Metropolises in ascendancy', held in Melbourne, Australia.
• Metropolis '87, 'A better life for all metropolises', held in Mexico City, Mexico.
• Metropolis '84, 'What kind of development for the major metropolitan regions at the dawn of the 3rd millennium?', held in Paris, Ile-de-France.

Standing commissions

Every three years (between the triennial congresses), members of metropolis work with other member cities on major research projects called commissions. Commissions were established to draw together urban development projects implemented in major metropolises and to encourage the exchange of these experiences between members through active collaboration. The commissions address specific areas selected by the Association's General Assembly. All Metropolis members, recognised international organisations and outside partners may participate in the commissions' works.

The commissions usually involve the participation of, on average, twelve member cities. Member cities are selected as President (or Chair) and Vice President (or Vice Chair) of the commissions and assume full responsibility for the studies and the compilation of major reports.

The Technical Assistance Scheme was established in 1993 to encourage the exchange of experience and specialised knowledge between Metropolis members. Technical assistance can assist members with research and provision of technical information and with seeking international financing for research programs. In particular, it facilitates the transfer of skills at an international level through the organisation of short expert missions.

A city can request technical assistance for projects related to urban planning and development. This request can be directed towards a particular city or an open request for assistance. Another city will then offer the services of a technical expert in the field to travel to the requesting city and assist with the study.

Training

Since 1997, Metropolis has provided training and seminars through the Metropolis Training Institute. Located in Montreal, Canada, the Institute organises high-level training sessions for elected officials and urban administrators.

Training programs address all sectors of urban development. Sessions range from two to fourteen days and address the specific needs of participants.

As a result, participants develop:

• Their skills by acquiring valuable theoretical and practical knowledge.
• Their know-how by learning and developing innovative ways to implement actions.
• Their expertise by gaining new insights from actions implemented by other metropolises.

Meetings of the Association's Board of Directors and the Executive Committee

Metropolis is governed by a Board of Directors which meet once per year. It votes on the budget and decides on the activities of the Association. Each continent is represented by a Vice President.

The General Assembly is convened by the Chairman of the Board of Directors at each Metropolis triennial congress. At this time, a new Executive Committee and a new Board of Directors are selected.

Publications and communications

Metropolis produces a range of publications and information available to members and the public. This includes:

• Syntheses of works from the standing commissions.
• Regular newsletters.
• A member contacts directory
• Syntheses of conferences and seminars including proceedings of the congresses
• Reports from Technical Assistance Scheme projects.

In addition, Metropolis has planned a series of activities intended to promote internal communication among its members and increase the presence of the Association in the field of international relations.