Territorial associative process between 10 municipalities that conform the Aburra Valley. It is based on the generation of alliances and strategic projects that promote autonomous and self-sustainable development, opportunities, and high levels of quality of communities, based on a principle of redistribution and territorial equity.

The Metropolitan Area of ​​the Aburra Valley is an administrative entity of public law composed by: Medellin (as the core city), Barbosa, Girardota, Copacabana, Bello, Envigado, Itagüí, La Estrella, Sabaneta and Caldas. The Metropolitan Area of ​​the Aburra Valley was created by the Departmental Ordinance Nº 34 of November 27 of 1980, for the promotion, planning and coordination of the joint development of its members.

Our currently functions are:

• Plan the territory placed under our jurisdiction.

• Be an environmental authority in the urban area of ​​the municipalities.

• Be a mass transit and metropolitan authority.

• Execute works of metropolitan interest.  

The main decision-making body is the Metropolitan Board formed by the Mayor of Medellin (called the metropolitan mayor as the core municipality), the Governor of Antioquia or its representative, the mayors of the other member municipalities, a representative of the Council of Medellin and a councillor representing the other municipalities.​