beyond this there is the full set of subnational spatial planning regulations at the regional departement and commune level in addition communes in the departement of loireatlantique which includes nantes and saintnazaire as its two largest urban places have been very active in creating an array of intercommunal agreements that further complicate the planning process even as they provide a forum for collaborative actions the two cities which are approximately kilometres apart from one another are linked by the pole metropolitain nantes saintnazaire association which has developed a common spatial planning vision through the scot in addition nantes is part of a metropole while saintnazaire is part of a commununautes d agglomeration