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I was bored this evening so I decided to take a break from my work and do a little research on the Houston v. Dallas rivalry and its history (pretty interesting things, I might add) but I stumbled across this article written by an Austin economist which suggested that the Texas Urban Triangle (comprised of Houston to the Southeast, Dallas to the North and San Antonio/Austin to the Southwest) could become America's next megalopolis. Currently, the country already has one megalopolis comprising of Washington D.C, Philadelphia, New York and Boston.
Does anybody think this could become a reality? Do you think it already has?
NOTE
I don't think this should really turn into a New England v. Texas thread (although it probably will). What I'm more interested in is do you think the Texas Triangle has the same features that enabled New England to become what it is today? What is it lacking?
It already has in my opinion. But it will continue to grow and have a broader impact on the country more so the region of Texas. Although not an official megalopolis I do see this happening to a NYC, Philadelphia, DC type of thing sooner than we think.
I forgot to add. Lacking like a High Speed rail system to connect those cities. I know each has it's own public rail but rail through out the state like Florida is doing would be cool.
There are a couple more potential megalopolis areas in America. California is one, the I-85 megalopolis is another. I've heard of Chi-Pitts becoming one in the next few decades. But yes, The Texas triangle has some potential.
It's funny you mention this b/c it has been quite the hot topic in Texas for the past year or so. Personally, I think it would be great. Rivalries and what not aside, I have friends spread across Dallas, San Antonio and Austin (I live in Houston) and sometimes I just don't feel like getting in the car and driving the 300 something miles to Dallas or Fort Worth (much less paying for the gas). A rail system would be amazing. However, it can also be argued that fuel is....well, the fuel of Texas's economy so a rail system would be counter intuitive. Just some thought.
Also, Texas A&M University did this study on the Texas Urban Triangle back in 2007. It's actually very fascinating and worth a gander. Reading it now is interesting too because it was somewhat of a predictor of things to come (Texas's rapid growth and the popularity/stability of the economies of all FOUR of it's major metropolises).
It's funny you mention this b/c it has been quite the hot topic in Texas for the past year or so. Personally, I think it would be great. Rivalries and what not aside, I have friends spread across Dallas, San Antonio and Austin (I live in Houston) and sometimes I just don't feel like getting in the car and driving the 300 something miles to Dallas or Fort Worth (much less paying for the gas). A rail system would be amazing. However, it can also be argued that fuel is....well, the fuel of Texas's economy so a rail system would be counter intuitive. Just some thought.
Also, Texas A&M University did this study on the Texas Urban Triangle back in 2007. It's actually very fascinating and worth a gander. Reading it now is interesting too because it was somewhat of a predictor of things to come (Texas's rapid growth and the popularity/stability of the economies of all FOUR of it's major metropolises).
Currently its population is about 18 million; it's expected to reach 23 million by 2025. Lots of people like to say the only reason why Texas has a large population is because it's so large ,but in reality only about 4 million people live outside the Texas Triangle which is about 60,000 sq. miles. We'd be the 3rd or 4th largest state in population.
The I-35 corridor from San Antonio to D/FW is getting pretty dense. I-45 between Dallas & Houston & I-10 between Houston & San Antonio are still pretty sparsely populated.
I think the Piedmont Triad and the Research Triangle in North Carolina may already qualify as megalopolises. Dallas, Houston, and Austin and San Antonio do seem spaced very far apart though despite all of these being major cities.
Maybe along the Gulf coast in the future...New Orleans, Biloxi-Gulfport, Mobile?
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