Which “Megapolitan Area” Do You Live In?

Soundbite and Script

November 3, 2011

ANNOUNCER: 

TWO-THIRDS OF AMERICANS LIVE ON LESS THAN 20 PERCENT OF LAND IN THE UNITED STATES.  IN A NEW BOOK CALLED MEGAPOLITAN AMERICA, DEMOGRAPHIC AND POPULATION RESEARCHERS ARE CALLING THESE AREAS OUR NATION’S “MEGAPOLITAN” AREAS.  ARTHUR C. NELSON, ONE OF THE BOOK’S CO-AUTHORS, IS DIRECTOR OF THE METROPOLITAN RESEARCH CENTER AT THE UNIVERSITY OF UTAH.

ARTHUR C. NELSON: 

“Most of us live clustered in 20 some megapolitan areas which are networks of metropolitan centers fused by common economic, physical, social, and cultural traits. The book draws on detailed data to map out the dramatic and surprisingly positive shifts ahead.”

ANNOUNCER: 

CO-AUTHOR ROBERT E. LANG IS A PROFESSOR OF SOCIOLOGY AND THE DIRECTOR OF THE BROOKINGS MOUNTAIN WEST AT THE UNIVERSITY OF NEVADA, LAS VEGAS.

ROBERT E. LANG: 

“The book focuses on changes we can expect in the next 40 years.  Our economy and consequently, our jobs, will be even more strongly linked to these areas.” 

ANNOUNCER: 

THE BOOK, PUBLISHED BY THE AMERICAN PLANNING ASSOCIATION, ARGUES FOR LONG-RANGE PLANNING THAT SHEDS OUTDATED IMAGES AND STOKES THE NATION'S ECONOMIC ENGINES.  VISIT PLANNING.ORG TO LEARN MORE OR SECURE YOUR COPY.  I’M LEE SHEPHARD.