Brazilian metropolitan regions: from the fragility of institutionalization to the challenges of governance

The objective of this research is to present and analyze the fragilities and inconsistencies of the institutionalization of metropolitan regions in the country, past and present, and to discuss the challenges of metropolitan governance. In order to carry out this work, bibliographical and historical and geographic surveys were carried out, as well as data collection in the official journals of each state where the metropolitan regions are found, and evaluation of the Metropolis Statute that is of great importance for urban politics in Brazil. The results of the survey showed the lack of state criteria for creating metropolitan regions in the country, and the lack of planning and management in these metropolitan areas, which presents many obstacles to metropolitan governance, with emphasis on inefficient intergovernmental relations.