Case study of municipalities and counties, which have merged, or have a long history of close cooperation. We will study internal as well as external consequences of changing the municipality structure, and we will specifically focus on: -the municipalities changing role as both a political and administrative institution with responsibility for democracy and community issues. Especially related to democracy, functionality, legitimacy, and to certain extent effectiveness - the value of communication and transportation for the municipality structure and economic, environmental and social consequences of transport as a result of these changes in structure. Further related to sustainable development, functionality and democracy. In summing up the project, we will discuss the results in relation to sustainable development.