Abstract
This article reflects on the growing recognition of local interdependencies and the inadequacies of the current administrative state in responding to cross-jurisdictional issues such as environmental management. The article reviews three kinds of locally derived approaches and the use of intermediate structures in their potential for both expanding participation in solution making and providing system-wide benefits or global advantages. While locally focused, these advances are viewed as "adaptive" structures that add to metropolitan system complexity with system-wide effects. [PUBLICATION ABSTRACT]