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The legislation of new metropolitan areas in
Romania follows the complicated and confusing experience
of previous metropolitan areas, instilling a sense of excessive
caution among both public authorities and researchers. A
review of the literature demonstrates the prevalence of
theoretical, methodological, and sectoral approaches when
dealing with this functional frame of territorial delineation.
Our research proposes an exploratory analysis of the major
metropolitan areas developed around county seats, in order
to understand the medium and long‐term dynamics affect‐
ing the development of these territorial structures that are
contingent on the local governance. By using a methodology
based on the harmonisation of statistical series according to
the current administrative structure, as well as on the carto‐
graphic analysis of demographic trends between 1992 and
2021, the study demonstrates the uneven development
trends of major metropolitan areas, increasing the risk of
widening territorial gaps.