Future Cincinnati-Dayton-Columbus-Cleveland-Akron mega region?

[ferraris]

Cleveland and Akron are already the same region in my view.

Cincinnati and Dayton I'm not too familiar with, but I could see it one day happening if it hasn't already.

Now, connecting either of these two via Columbus? Out of the question. It's just too rural in between, and most of the involved metros aren't seeing the sort of rapid, sprawling growth that would be required.

[Coseau]

To become a mega region there has to be some kind of draw that attracts people in great numbers to Ohio to The North East Corridor, California, the Pacific North West, and the Sun Belt metros all has something unique about them that hooks people in huge numbers to move there. Cheap suburban housing in mild winter climate is the draw for the Sun Belt region. California has perfect weather, the ocean, mountains and an outdoor lifestyle to offer . The PNW has mountains, the oceans and an outdoor lifestyle to offer. The North East draw is its urban lifestyle to has to offer.

The biggest draw for Ohio is cheap suburban housing but you can get the same thing in North Carolina with warmer weather, proximity to the ocean and mountains for people who desires a more outdoor lifestyle. So basically what you can get in other regions is basically in non existence in Ohio. The only thing you did had in the past in Ohio was some kind of urban lifestyle to be had in most of its cities but that has largely been destroyed over a half century ago with a very low chance of its cities recapturing the level of urbanity they once possessed. There is a low probability of a future mega region happening in Ohio due to all those factors.

[motorman]

^ Agreed. If present trends continue, there is little to attract masses of people to Ohio over other regions nationally. Most certainly in the decades to come, the state's generally benign weather and ample supply of fresh water will prove beneficial, but not to the extent where thousands of migrants flock here for those things alone.

Same thing goes, economically. What will lure huge numbers of job seekers to Ohio over other regions in the nation? On a large scale, job wise, what will magically materialize within the parameters of the "3-C's" that won't be replicated by other equally connected regions of the nation, especially up and down the coasts? (Just ask Richard Florida what he thinks of Ohio.)

At present, the 3-C metros compete against each other so vehemently that thoughts of state-wide cooperation and intercity people mover transportation improvements seem almost ludicrous. Although there are indications that huge retailing logistics operations may coalesce between Cincinnati and Columbus, the exact opposite could just as easily occur. It is quite possible that AI and robotics (plus the Almighty Will of Jeff Bezos) will actually decimate all 3-C's, spinning sizable numbers of unfortunate people straight down into the Gig Job World or completely out the door.

Last of all, a Chinese tsunami. Need I say more about how that country's astonishing ascendance to superpower status will exorbitantly alter our own aspirations of mega regional greatness? The Pearl River Delta Economic Zone we're not and only a hand full of us comprehend even one word of Mandarin.

[Kamms]

Originally Posted by brock2010

Just looking at a highway map Cincinnati and Dayton areas look like they're growing into each other as well as Cleveland-Akron. Do you think both of these areas could one day grow to include Columbus to form a mega region of the state's largest cities/metros?

Do you really think Cleveland and Akron, being in adjacent counties to each other, haven't ''grown'' into each other yet?

Currently, not even close with Ohio's population growth today for the scenario in your post otherwise.