ABSTRACT
Cities are becoming multi-centered regions and these regions are growing together to form megaregions. A recent study identifies 13 megaregions across the United States. Most development in these megaregions continues to go forward without any meaningful design direction. Growth has followed the interstate highway system, energized by the high profits that can be realized from urbanizing farms and woodlands made accessible by new highway interchanges, hollowing out many older areas, even within growing megaregions. The urban design strategy at the regional and megaregional levels should be to show decision-makers and the public the difference between what will happen if current trends continue, and a better alternative if different policies were followed. These scenarios can be based on the latest computer-aided mapping technology. Two basic assumptions for a better alternative should be a balanced transportation system that includes inter-city passenger rail connecting to airports and local transit in cities along the route, plus protecting essential environmental resources like the water supply and prime agricultural land. There are also now places where it is no longer safe to build because of a changing climate, putting new burdens on government, which will have pay for building protections or to help people move. Amending local development regulations and new methods of watershed management could help guide new development to safe places. The megaregions in Florida, Texas, and California are mostly within the borders of each state. Planning for megaregions that cross state boundaries will need special agreements, similar to the interstate compacts which already exist for various other purposes, to co-ordinate the decisions by individual states.
