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The Northeast Megaregion. Robert Yaro President, Regional Plan Association Megaregions + MetroProsperity Sustainable Economics for the Texas Triangle Megaregion September 24, 2009 Houston, TX. Boston. New York. Philadelphia. Baltimore. Washington. The Northeast Megaregion.
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The Northeast Megaregion Robert Yaro President, Regional Plan Association Megaregions + MetroProsperity Sustainable Economics for the Texas Triangle Megaregion September 24, 2009 Houston, TX
Boston New York Philadelphia Baltimore Washington The Northeast Megaregion • 49 million inhabitants • 17% of U.S. population on 2% of the land area • 20% of U.S. GDP • Will add 19 million additional people by 2050
Change in Urbanized Land 2000 - 2050 Year Acres % of Total 2000 14,657,028 9.7% 2025 25,487,087 16.4% 2050 39,128,555 25.2% Source: RPA GIS Model, Woods & Poole County Population projections Urbanized Areas 2000 - 2050
Change in Urbanized Land 2000 - 2050 Year Acres % of Total 2000 14,657,028 9.7% 2025 25,487,087 16.4% 2050 39,128,555 25.2% Source: RPA GIS Model, Woods & Poole County Population projections Urbanized Areas 2000 - 2050
Change in Urbanized Land 2000 - 2050 Year Acres % of Total 2000 14,657,028 9.7% 2025 25,487,087 16.4% 2050 39,128,555 25.2% Source: RPA GIS Model, Woods & Poole County Population projections Urbanized Areas 2000 - 2050
2000 - 2050 Exurban and Suburban land types Conversion of farmland and forests Fastest Projected Growing Areas
Large Landscapes and Estuaries At Stake… Source: RPA, adapted from the Appalachian Mountain Club
Congested Roads, Rails, and Sky Image: University of Pennsylvania
Airports are reaching Gridlock • 20 percent of flights in the NY Metro region are 350 miles or less • By 2010 airfields at Newark and JFK will approach capacity • Roundtrip Flights Daily • DC – NY: 86 • NY – Bos: 76 • Bos – DC: 42
Business Alliance for Northeast Mobility • Coalition of chambers of commerce, civic organizations • Focus on Amtrak authorization and appropriations • Advocacy for NE interests in surface transportation bill Reception in U.S. Capitol Apr 2008 Northeast Summit Mar 2007 Union Station Press Conference Oct 2008
Density Peaks: Hubs of Face-to-face Communication
Increase Capacity for Economic Growth • Provide alternatives and redundancy to congested air travel, roads • Increase frequency, speed, reliability, affordability of intercity rail • Increase capacity of regional rail services
Meet Targets for Greenhouse Gas Reductions • On a per passenger basis, Amtrak is: • 18% more energy efficient than airlines • 17% more efficient than autos (Source: Oak Ridge Nat’l Lab. Transportation Energy Data Book) • Air travel has greater GHG impact than ground emitters. • (CO2, H2O, NOx in stratosphere.)
Connect Hot and Cold Growth Centers • Expand rail service to underperforming cities • Expand job markets and access to lower-cost housing • Focus investments around station areas - TOD Future Moynihan Station West – Hub on the NEC “Hot and Cold” Index of the Northeast: U. Penn 2004