The concept of city regions is about geographical areas relating to people's whole lives: that is, the area in which most people live, travel to work, go to school, shop and spend their leisure time. In other words city regions represent the interconnection of markets for jobs, housing and the supply of goods or services, and go beyond the traditional administrative boundaries such as local authority borders.

City regions join more than one city together in terms of strategic planning - for example, on economic development, physical planning or strategic housing - and governance arrangements, such as through executive boards.

Yorkshire and Humber has three city regions: Hull and Humber Ports, Sheffield and Leeds. In the north of the region lies the sub-region of North Yorkshire, parts of which are also in the Leeds City Region.