Richard Florida's megaregions in US/Canada - some questions on their classification

[Shakeesha]

Originally Posted by mattec

Interesting that he looks to be including Chattanooga and Knoxville, but excludes Memphis and Nashville

Because they are not a part of the region.

[adavi215]

Originally Posted by Shakeesha

Because they are not a part of the region.

I couldn't agree more. That is not to say that Nashville and Memphis aren't phenomenal in their own right. But Knoxville and Chattanooga are more connected to the PAM than Nashville and Memphis are. It's just simple geography and economic ties.

[DavePa]

Originally Posted by goat314

Richard Florida frequently does not understand the economic dynamics of America's "heartland". St. Louis' economy is way more connected to Chicago than either Minneapolis or Pittsburgh and has been for at least 150 years.

In part I agree.... with Pittsburgh Not connected to Chicago. It's linked as a EAST COAST or NORTHEAST CITY. Clevelanders also see themselves with little in links to Chicago. From forums and threads of past posted in the Cleveland forum that I have read..... They DOWNPLAY anything in a connection to Chicago. A thread as "Cleveland as a mini-Chicago"? Was with Clevelander's NOT having, or seeing any of it. They see MORE a link (or desire to link) to the East Coast more and even boast of early ties to New England in the city's early history.

I personally believe Michigan and Indiana and its cities? Link more with Chicago then Ohio and its cities?
I see no reason St Louis should NOT be linked to Chicago as Chi to Pitts are all including "rust-belt cities. In that though ..... Minneapolis is NOT included in the Rust belt? Indianapolis isn't rust-belt either but in the Chi Pitts region linked. St Louis might be furthest from the Great Lakes.... but a clearly linked to Chicago city. Minneapolis just is closer to Lake Superior and Minnesota as the "land of lakes". Is generally included with the Great Lakes Region, but Missouri isn't.

St Louis other than Milwaukee? Has the CLOSEST ties to Chicago. So it SHOULD be included. Pittsburgh being rust-belt is probably key to the link too and to Cleveland. But it clearly is Eastern and looks eastward. The East Coast though ...... doesn't really look back to Pittsburgh as a member of the cliché LOL. Philadelphians see Pittsburgh and Western PA as Midwest even.