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 Loire-Atlantique, which includes Nantes and Saint-Nazaire 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 50 kilometres apart from one another, are linked by the Pole metropolitain Nantes Saint-Nazaire association, which has developed a common spatial planning vision through the SCoT. In addition, Nantes is part of a Metropole, while Saint-Nazaire is part of a commununautes d 'agglomeration.