First this report illustrates the differences by comparing eight different characteristics of the largest urban areas. Next, this report identifies the chief reasons for the differences. The paper looks more closely at three major urban areas as examples, noting how the urban area definitions can affect measures such as population density and rate of growth. This report concludes by presenting a new list of major world metropolitan areas defined by consistent criteria as far as possible.

This paper looks into the differences between three large urban areas (Tokyo, Mexico city and Chicago). These cities clarify the different concepts and definitions employed within each of these urban areas. This research is based on how such differences can yield different population totals.

An independent definition of metropolitan areas reflects the advantage of reasonably consistent criteria applied across contrasting areas and countries. The main disadvantage of independent definitions is the large amount of time required to arrive at them, and the difficulty of securing all of the information about each major area that ideally should be available. It is safe to predict that the effort will depend in large part on the active cooperation of local authorities and academic institutions in the countries and cities involved.

College of Urban planning & public affairs
Richard L. Forstall

01/01/2006

Richard L. Forstall, Richard P. Greene and James B. Pick

research

Urban Policy > Urban environment > Land use

Urbanisation