The Korea Local Administration Review

Coast center cities of Northeast Asia are nominated most frequently as a hubof metro-regions in the world. This thesis focuses on Dalian in China, Fukuokain Japan and Vladivostok in Russia as sample cases of coast center cities forthe comparative study of their metro-region growth strategy and governancecharacteristics. Three major dimensions are comparatively reviewed. They are1) the background of appearance of metro-regions, 2) basic plan and project ofdevelopment strategy of metro-regions, and 3) system and governance ofdevelopment strategy of metro-regions. As a result, first of all, it is found thatall the three cities have tried to gather regional resources and to operate themeffectively to achieve global competitiveness. Also, based on their regionalcharacteristics as coastal hub city, they share the understanding of growth ofdistribution center through the ports. Secondly, in order to develop themetro-region, it is found that the local government support as well as thecentral government one are very important. Thirdly, partnership and systemicco-responsibility between central government and local government are verycritical in establishing a development plan for metro-region. Finally, it is foundthat all they tried hard to overcome the separatism of administrative units, todevelop the strategic industry, to make a clear functional division betweencities, to develop central hub cities in metropolitan region, and to secure activecooperation from adjacent cities. In conclusion, this study found that successfuldevelopment of metro-region shall be determined upon governance betweencentral and local, governance between locals, value creation effectiveness offormation and operation of linked network organization, democratic process ofparticipation, and dynamic structure of flexibility and openness.
□ Keywords: coastal hub city, metro-region, governance, Dalian, Fukuoka,Vladivostok