The article discusses how metropolitan regions play a crucial role in society, economy, and politics. It compares four major European metropolitan regions to understand their impact on competitiveness and quality of life. The researchers focus on the importance of territorial shapes, institutional formations, and cultural identities in shaping these regions. They found that these metropolitan areas are key players in national and European competitiveness, and they face challenges in pooling resources and creating organizing capacities. The study emphasizes the need to consider regions as dynamic processes influenced by historical, social, and spatial factors.