Twin cities

[edit] Introduction

The term twin cities (or metroplex) refers to a metropolitan area that is made up of two anchor cities in close proximity and of nearly equal size and significance. The term encompases their suburbs, which may merge into each other over time. Twin cities sometimes originate with the construction of an airport that serves both anchor cities and the surrounding suburbs.

Associated with American terminology (although used around the world), twin cities is similar to the international term, urban agglomeration, and the British term, conurbation. However, modern twin cities preserve their individual identities, unlike those associated with a conurbation, ‘which refers to a region comprising a number of cities, large towns and other urban areas that, through population growth and physical expansion, have merged to form one continuous urban and industrially developed area.'

Twin cities are not to be confused with twin towns or sister cities, which are agreements made between municipalities located in different parts of the world. These arrangements are made to encourage an understanding between cultures and sometimes serve as the basis for international economic cooperation.

[edit] Distinguishing characteristics

While twinned cities are joined by proximity and size, they may not share the same demographic or political characteristics. People who live in twin cities may prefer being identified as residents of their anchor city, although they may live in one anchor city and work in another.

There are some historic instances where the individual cities grew into each other and lost their separate identities. For instance, Buda and Pest were individual cities in Hungary that united in 1873 to become Budapest.

[edit] Boundaries

In the case of Buda and Pest, the Danube river separated the two original cities. Geographic elements (such as waterways) and political boundaries (such as state or international borders) are sometimes disregarded by twinning cities.

Examples of international twin cities include:

• Detroit, Michigan (US) and Windsor, Ontario (Canada)
• Niagara Falls, New York (US) and Niagara Falls, Ontario (Canada)
• San Diego, California (US) and Tijuana, Baja California (Mexico)

[edit] Twin cities around the world

There are many twin cities around the world. Some include:

[edit] United Kingdom

• Bournemouth and Poole
• Brighton and Hove
• Leeds and Bradford

[edit] North America

• Dallas and Fort Worth, Texas (sometimes referred to as Metroplex)
• Kitchener-Waterloo, Ontario
• Minneapolis and St Paul, Minnesota
• Raleigh and Durham, North Carolina
• San Francisco and Oakland, California
• Scranton and Wilkes-Barre, Pennsylvania
• Tampa and St Petersburg, Florida

[edit] Other international twin cities

• Bangkok and Nonthaburi, Thailand
• Cairo and Giza, Egypt
• Hyderabad and Secunderabad, Telangana state, India
• Kyoto and Otsu, Japan
• Tel Aviv and Jaffa, Israel

[edit] Related articles on Designing Buildings

• Agglomeration.
• City.
• Conurbation.
• Digital twin.
• Megacity.
• Megalopolis.
• Metro cities - the future of urbanisation.
• Types of city.
• Urban design.
• What will a fourth generation city look like?