Megaregions? Do you buy it?

[^_^ 5,021]

So who here thinks this 'megaregion' stuff is for real? If you don't know what I'm talking about, here's an excerpt.

As metropolitan regions continued to expand throughout the second half of the 20th century their boundaries began to blur, creating a new scale of geography now known as the megaregion. Interlocking economic systems, shared natural resources and ecosystems, and common transportation systems link these population centers together. As continued population growth and low density settlement patterns place increasing pressure on these systems, there is greater impetus to coordinate policy at this expanded scale.

Most of the nation's rapid population growth, and an even larger share of its economic expansion, is expected to occur in 10 or more emerging megaregions: large networks of metropolitan regions, each megaregion covering thousands of square miles and located in every part of the country.

...

The recognition of the megaregion as an emerging geographical unit also presents an opportunity to reshape large federal systems of infrastructure and funding, such as future surface transportation bills, the reorganization of Amtrak, housing and urban development authorizations, and farm policy.

Here's a graphic showing where the author/authors believe the emerging 'megaregions' are. Some make sense and others are... well, strange. There's a little bit of Kansas in the Great Lakes megaregion, for example. #######?

[Mr. Big Dog 10,747]

The only common transportation system in Florida are our crumbling roads. What the hell are they talking about?

[I AM NOT THAT GUY 5,715]

The scary thought is that three west coast megaregions are seismically active.

[mawilson 2,133]

The only common transportation system in Florida are our crumbling roads. What the hell are they talking about?

America in 2050?

[^_^ 5,021]

America in 2050?

Yeah, this is a forecast of how the authors believe America will look in 2050.

What will the emergence of megaregions mean for states?

And - I still can't get over that little Kansas circle inside the Great Lakes megaregion. Makes no sense.

Edited March 4, 2011 by \

[Ban Hammer 13,484]

And - I still can't get over that little Kansas circle inside the Great Lakes megaregion. Makes no sense.

obviously you've not heard of kansas city.

[^_^ 5,021]

obviously you've not heard of kansas city.

I'm referring to Topeka, with the little red arrow. Almost 600 hours from Chicago? Makes no sense.

[Usui Takumi 1,562]

I'm referring to Topeka, with the little red arrow. Almost 600 hours from Chicago? Makes no sense.

Yeah and I wouldn't consider KC or STL a part of the region either...probably never will be. Topeka is like a small island floating in a sea of farmland...and it had the nearest Steak and Shake to Manhattan KS....but no White Castle.

Edited March 5, 2011 by Sousuke

[^_^ 5,021]

I'm referring to Topeka, with the little red arrow. Almost 600 hours from Chicago? Makes no sense.

Before anyone points it out, I meant miles. 600 miles.

Yeah and I wouldn't consider KC or STL a part of the region either...probably never will be. Topeka is like a small island floating in a sea of farmland...and it had the nearest Steak and Shake to Manhattan KS....but no White Castle.

Yeah there's too much 'nothing' all around it.

[웃 910]

Yeah and I wouldn't consider KC or STL a part of the region either...probably never will be. Topeka is like a small island floating in a sea of farmland...and it had the nearest Steak and Shake to Manhattan KS....but no White Castle.

I thought it was hilarious the White Castle 20 minutes from my house had on the billboard "Now taking reservations for Valentine's...Call 248 XXX XXXX"

I thought it might have been just that particular location but I did a quick google search and it seems it was all their locations:

[^_^ 5,021]

That is hilariously ghetto.

[Ban Hammer 13,484]

I'm referring to Topeka, with the little red arrow. Almost 600 hours from Chicago? Makes no sense.

state capital.

[^_^ 5,021]

state capital.

So? I'm not sure what that has to do with the concept of a megaregion.

[Obama 2012 1,714]

the Texas triangle makes sense... With the DFW area and how big it's grown and then Houston, Austin and San Antonio....

Just about 10 years ago, you could go down I-35 and find pretty desolate areas. Now all the towns between DFW and Austin have boomed themselves, it's crazy...

[^_^ 5,021]

the Texas triangle makes sense... With the DFW area and how big it's grown and then Houston, Austin and San Antonio....

Just about 10 years ago, you could go down I-35 and find pretty desolate areas. Now all the towns between DFW and Austin have boomed themselves, it's crazy...

Speaking of Texas, did you notice the color coding around Houston? It's part of two megaregions, the Texas Triangle and the Gulf Coast. I don't think there are any other cities in that position.