A distributed database system providing data and space management methodology. In one embodiment a system for allocating resources amongst a plurality of database servers sharing resources comprises: an input module for receiving user input for allocating resources shared amongst a plurality of database servers and establishing thresholds for utilization of resources at each database server; a monitoring module at each database server for monitoring local resource utilization at each database server and sending a request for balancing resources to a second database server when local resource utilization reaches an established threshold at a first database server; and a load balancing module for receiving the request for balancing resources and determining whether to adjust resources allocated to the first database server and the second database server in response to the request.