The Rise of the Megaregion

A new book from the Lincoln Institute by Robert D. Yaro, Ming Zhang, and Frederick R. Steiner examines the role of 'megaregions' in shaping the future of U.S. policy and planning. As Will Jason writes, "Megaregions and America’s Future explains the concept of megaregions, provides updated economic, demographic, and environmental data, draws lessons from Europe and Asia, and shows how megaregions are an essential framework for governing the world’s largest economy."

Geared to urban and regional planners and policy analysts, staff and decision makers in transportation, environmental protection, and development agencies, faculty and students in related fields, as well as business leaders, Megaregions and America’s Future includes a case study of the Northeast—the nation’s oldest megaregion and the source of the concept—but delves deeply into every megaregion, from the Great Lakes to the Gulf Coast to Southern California.

The authors argue that a regional approach is more appropriate for large-scale issues such as sea level rise or high-speed rail that require action across a broad geographic area. According to the book, megaregions are "the perfect geographic unit for channeling federal investment and managing large systems such as interstate rail, multistate natural resource systems, climate mitigation or adaptation, and major economic development initiatives."