The vernacular notion of "metro area" or "urban region" may not match up with standard political designations, like municipality, county, state, or city-state. Too bad. Ambiguity and complexity are hallmarks of today's mega-cities.
"Sure, Los Angeles is a mess. But we should be honest about what kind of mess it is—or, at least, what kind of mess it isn’t. Whether you prefer metro area, urban region, Metropolitan Statistical Area, conurbation, tri-county area, or whatever cute name the weather forecasters use, nothing in the United States qualifies as a city-state (states in the United States aren’t even states)."
"Whatever 'Los Angeles' may be, it does not print its own money. It does not have its own justice system. It does not issue passports, enter into trade deals, or set immigration policy. It does not defend its homeland. It does not fund and develop hundreds of thousands of units of public housing. It has none of those powers that enable true city-states to punch above their weight."
FULL STORY: No, Los Angeles Is Not a City-State
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A weekly monitor of how Trump’s orders and actions are impacting planners and planning in America.
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