Reinventing Megalopolis

RPA staff worked with partners to describe the Northeast MegaRegion, a diverse and unique network of dynamic cities, region-defining natural amenities, and superior mobility systems. Its world-class educational and cultural institutions make it a global center for research and the arts. The Northeast is also home to leading financial industries and continues to be America’s gateway to global markets.

Its continued success, however, cannot be taken for granted. Inadequate and congested infrastructure, as well as fragmented governance, threatens the region’s future economic preeminence. Land-consuming sprawl erodes open space at an alarming rate. The growing racial and social isolation of many of the region’s cities and older suburbs undercuts the productivity of the whole Northeast.

To meet these challenges and to improve the future livability of the MegaRegion, the Northeast must mobilize to a new level of collaboration and action. Working cooperatively, we can address common threats and capitalize on the assets that make the Northeast an attractive place in which to live and work. It will then create synergies between successful and underperforming areas and advocate for a strengthening of the Northeast’s competitiveness. In order to ensure sustainable growth, our environmental resources must be restored and protected. A world-class, multi-modal transportation network would improve global links, as well as mobility within the region. Last, in order to make this a reality, all key stakeholders at all levels will need to come together and advocate the promotion of the Northeast MegaRegion.

This report outlines seven strategies that can be employed as tools to realize these region-wide goals. Each strategy addresses many of the region’s challenges and can be used collectively or individually to affect change. Strategies vary in scope and scale, ranging from region-wide initiatives to those designed to coordinate local programs. Case studies illustrate best practices and exemplify how implementation might take place. These strategies require cooperation on a number of different levels but have the ability to achieve region-wide success.

This report enhances the efforts to encourage regional thinking and action. Success requires the commitment and investment of stakeholders at all levels, who will continue to shape the future vision of the Northeast MegaRegion.