URBAN ECONOMICS

I. Market Forces in the Development of Cities

A. Introduction

Definitions:

1. Municipality or city - self governing, local government services provided

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2. Unincorporated area - services provided by a higher level of government

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3. Town - no official meaning in the U.S.

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Top ten U.S. cities (in terms of population):

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Top 50 U.S. Cities

4. Urbanized area -

- Total population of at least 50,000

- One large central city

- Surrounding area with at a density of at least 1,000 people per acre

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5. Metropolitan area (MA) -

- Central city of 50,000 or total population of 100,000 including an urbanized area

- Adjacent counties if they are integrated with the central county

- Counties used because boundaries don't often change, but includes rural areas

- Integration based on commuting flows

• 15% commuting - 50 people per square mile
• 50% commuting - 25 people per square mile

Ex. - Los Angeles

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6. Consolidated Metropolitan Statistical Area (CMSA) -

- Population of at least 1,000,000 and

- Can be subdivided into two or more distinct areas

Ex. - Los Angeles-Riverside-Orange County, San Francisco Bay Area

7. Primary Metropolitan Statistical Area (PMSA) - subdivisions of CMSAs

8. Metropolitan Statistical Area - a metropolitan area that does not qualify as a CMSA

- Less than 1,000,000 residents or

- No distinct areas that can be designated PMSAs

Ex. - San Diego, Atlanta, Santa Barbara-Santa Maria-Lompoc

Top ten U.S. metropolitan areas (in terms of population)

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Top U.S. Metropolitan Areas

Top 100 World Cities

9. Urban place - a geographical area with at least 2,500 inhabitants in a relatively small area

10. Urban area - an area with a relatively high population density