Àrea Metropolitana de Barcelona
The Àrea Metropolitana de Barcelona (AMB; "Metropolitan Area of Barcelona") is a public body operating on the principle of metropolitan authority. It is composed of representatives of Barcelona and 36 adjacent municipalities accounting for a population of 3,239,337 (Idescat, 2014) within an area of 636 km. Its jurisdiction constitutes the main core of the unofficial Barcelona metropolitan area, with a population over 5 million. Executive Bodies. The three executive bodies are: Competencies. Territorial. The AMB is responsible for three areas: territorial planning, urban planning and infrastructures of metropolitan interest. Transport and mobility. The AMB plans and  manages bus networks and other public transports, except for trams. Its competencies, apart from planning and management, are: Environment and sustainability. The competencies on environment and sustainability are linked to three areas: water cycle, waste management and environment. Waste Other competencies Housing. The AMB exerts the competencies in land and housing policies established by the urban legislation. It does so by delegation of metropolitan municipalities and to ensure intermunicipal solidarity in these actions. Economic development. The AMB aims to promote economic activity, employment and entrepreneurship in the areas of industry, trade, services and tourism resources. Social cohesion. Social cohesion is  one of the objectives of the creation of the AMB and is the principle by which all policies concerning urban planning, transport, environment, infrastructures and assistance to metropolitan municipalities are defined. The aim is to achieve a cohesive and united metropolitan development, in which the benefits and costs of living in the metropolitan area are equally distributed among its inhabitants, regardless of the municipality in which they live. To fulfil this aim, the competencies of the AMB also include the following ones: Geography. The "Àrea Metropolitana de Barcelona" is set on the central "Catalan Coast" and around the capital. The  metropolitan area can be divided into two zones: Municipal elections 2015. <nowiki>*</nowiki> ICV-E included in the 2015 coalitions in Comú Badia - Entesa i Barcelona Comú - Entesa. <nowiki>**</nowiki> Guanyem not included in the 2015 coalitions in Comú Badia - Entesa and Barcelona Comú - Entesa. Metropolitan government. Metropolitan Council. The Metropolitan Council is the highest governing body of the AMB. Its responsibilities include the appointment and dismissal of the AMB presidency; the approval of the Metropolitan Action Plan, which includes projects and services developed by the AMB during the term; the approval of laws and regulations, as well  as the establishment of the metropolitan services fees. The Metropolitan Council currently comprises 90 metropolitan councillors. Each of the 36 municipalities has a number of members in proportion to their demographic weight. The mayors of the municipalities are ex officio members of the Council, in addition to the councillors appointed by the Town Councils whose number increases until covering the one stipulated for each municipality. Governing Board. The Governing Board is the body that assists the president in the everyday work of the metropolitan administration. Tasks are delegated by the Metropolitan Council and the president, with the aim of facilitating  the decision making and the work of the metropolitan administration. The Governing Board comprises the AMB president and the metropolitan councillors appointed by the president at the proposal of the Metropolitan Council, and it meets at least twice a month.