Metropolitian Regions

A metropolitan area is a combination of urban agglomerations that consists of a densely populated urban core that encompasses multiple jurisdictions and cities that share various infrastructure, services, housing and employment resources.  Metropolitan regions are also described as matrixes of developments that extend over wide areas and include many centres. A major metropolitan region that is discussed throughout the reading is the highly urbanised north-eastern sea bored of the United States which is a major metropolitan area that stretches from Boston to Washington in a 600 mile continuous corridor. This mass agglomeration is possible as the enormous region which is dominated by several older cities and masses of suburban development is linked by a modern and efficient rail and highway system which is used by the communities to commute to services and employment in major cities in the region such as Boston and Washington. Another major metropolitan area in the United States is the San Francisco metropolitan area often referred to as the Bay Area which includes urban areas such as the city of San Francisco, Oakland and San Jose and is home to about 7.15 million people within 9 counties.

                                                    San Francisco Bay Area:

Negatives of the Metropolitan Region:

New developments on the urban fringe are a modern and common practice in emerging and expanding metropolitan regions as business and services relocate to the urban fringe for the convenience and to be closer to the people who live in these areas. This however leads to negative trends such as the abandonment of older inner city developments which than become an eyesore on the city whilst also leaving land to be vacant, and not efficiently used. Over the next generation the traditional city centre will no longer be the only venue were business, finance, cultural and entertainment events occur as increasingly these will be dispersed to other parts of the Metropolitan region, closer to where patrons and residents live. The extent of the negative impact this will have on the inner city is unknown and whether to continue expanding metropolitan’s at the cost of the once vibrant urban inner city centre is a debatable issue were a correct answer currently is unknown. I believe although it is necessary for a portion of services to be close to the outer suburbs the inner city should be consolidated and never left to be run down but a vibrant area for business and tourism.