Megalopolis

[edit] Introduction

A megalopolis (or megapolis) is a network of large cities and surrounding metropolitan areas that have become interconnected, primarily by transportation infrastructure. This results in a continuous flow of movement and commerce driven by economic development that supports the collective growth of the region.

[edit] History

The term megalopolis was first used in the United States in the 20th century. It was applied to the area from Washington to New York to Boston, also known as the Northeast megalopolis, the Northeast Corridor or BosWash. This heavily-travelled commuter region has several busy transport hubs, including a dense concentration of highways, airports, railways and ports.

In a megalopolis, each city and the surrounding metropolitan area retains its own identity, but the urban sprawl that results from the geographic proximity of each city links the different areas together. This distinguishes a megalopolis from a megacity, which is a urban agglomeration that includes people living in the immediate suburbs outside of the established border of a single city.

For more information see: Megacity.

[edit] Trends

There are more megalopolis regions developing around the world, particularly in Asia. These include examples such as China's Pearl River Delta and Indonesia's Jakarta-Bandung metro area.

[edit] Related articles on Designing Buildings

• Agglomeration.
• Densification.
• Global Construction Megacities 2017.
• Infrastructure.
• Megacity.
• Megatrends: Globalisation.
• Metro cities - the future of urbanisation.
• Must cities grow to compete?
• Twin cities.
• Types of city.
• Urban design.