Why is Miami's Metro Area So Long?

[MS313]

Originally Posted by FlyMIA

You never heard of the Florida Everglades? If not yes it is interesting, just google some stuff online. It is one of the most delicate, diverse ecosystem in the world. Miami also to its east of course has the ocean but also Biscayne National Park which is mostly a coral reef.

Im from Detroit so no not really. I hear about places like South Beach and stuff when Miami is mentioned.

[rnc2mbfl]

Originally Posted by MiamiRob

The Miami metro doesn't spread out like most metros because you have 3 Wildlife management/reserve areas in Palm Beach county to the west.
In Broward county you have 2 Indian Reservations ( Seminole & Miccosukee) and 1 wildlife management area to the west also.

In Miami Dade county you have the Everglades National Park in addition you 3 water coservation areas in all 3 counties controlled by the South Florida Water Management district who are in charge of flood control and canals so it's very difficult for the Miami metro to sprawl.

Also Miami Dade county has a Urban Growth boundary line implemented in the mid 1970s that cuts of any development beyond US Highway 27 known as Krome Avenue. The distance from Miami Beach to the Krome Avenue boundary line is roughly 19 miles east to west hence the linear aspect of the metro.
The metro is fairly dense & compact with 5.5 million people in about 1100 square miles. For comparison Atlanta has about the same population yet they sprawl over 10 times as much land as Miami does.
Hope that answers your question!

Very thorough and excellent....
Rep points for you!
:-)

Oh Darn!!! the system won't let me give you rep points again until I spread some around to others. :-(

[perry335654]

Miami is the Olive Oyl and Twiggy of cities, it doesn't get any skinnier.


http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=hUxPHJ36u0w

[KoNgFooCj]

Originally Posted by straight shooter

Yes, it is federally protected land called the Everglades.

Yes but why isn't there 'any' development in the Everglades? When did it become federally protected? I'm surprised no development popped up there before it became federally protected.

[blueherons]

Originally Posted by KoNgFooCj

Yes but why isn't there 'any' development in the Everglades? When did it become federally protected? I'm surprised no development popped up there before it became federally protected.

Have you ever tried to build on a swamp?

Also, see Weston.

[slowlane3]

You could compare it I suppose to the "Meadowlands" area of New Jersey which is only a few miles from Manhattan, and yet is un-inhabitable. Or the South Carolina side of the river from downtown Savannah, GA which cannot be developed either.

And anywhere in Florida, the most desirable areas are directly on the coast, which gets cooling breezes. Historically on Florida's east coast, African-Americans were confined to a long strip west of the railroad tracks.

[Corrie22]

Originally Posted by KoNgFooCj

Yes but why isn't there 'any' development in the Everglades? When did it become federally protected? I'm surprised no development popped up there before it became federally protected.

There were no roads....Ingraham hwy wasn't completed until 1922 (Florida City to Flamingo)....Tamiami Trail wasn't completed until 1928....Everglades became a park only 6 years later 1934

When the park was established...they confiscated everyone's homesteads and farms and kicked them out..almost all of it the park went in and burned it down

Miami built the jetport in the late 60's....it's not in the park...but is in the everglades

[kemahkami]

Yes OP, it's a very smart aspect I've observed about South Florida's development patterns. You have a really linear metro with dense development, allowing for more leftover wilderness and natural spaces. Such spaces are key in preserving National Parks like the Everglades, as well as the tropical jungles and hammocks that flourish all over South Florida.

[rnc2mbfl]

Wetlands to the West. Ocean to the East. It's as simple as that.