The low cost of living and high quality of life in the Southeast are two reasons for this megaregion's booming population, which is anchored by Atlanta but stretches east to Raleigh, North Carolina and west to Birmingham, Alabama. The region is facing challenges associated with its growing population, such as increased traffic congestion, runaway land consumption, and inadequate infrastructure, which it hopes to address with sustainable solutions.
As a follow-up to last August's Piedmont Atlantic Megaregion Summit, the megaregion's mayors, led by Atlanta's Shirley Franklin and Charlotte's Pat McCrory, recently gathered in Greenville, South Carolina to formalize their new organization, now called "The Piedmont Alliance for Quality Growth - Mayors, Business, Academia."
The Alliance was formed out of the recognition that city leaders will better tackle increasing challenges related to rapid population growth and the need for infrastructure if they work as a unit, rather than independently. Mayor Franklin also expressed her understanding of the megaregion's place in the global economy, stating, "I used to think of the Atlanta metro region as my sphere. But now I know - I'm in a megaregion which will increasingly influence the ability of America to prosper."
Two examples of the challenges facing the regions of Piedmont include making public transit more reliable and widely available; and employing more ecologically responsible land use practices.
To read Neal Peirce's column about this exciting new collaboration, click here.
The Army Corps of Engineers - South Atlantic Division has recently taken the lead by proposing a coalition to represent and be led by eight southeastern states. Still in the exploratory phase, the coalition is intended to encourage regional collaboration and constructive dialogue among these states. The biggest challenge may be for representatives of states currently involved in bitter lawsuits against each other to think of their interests as not only intertwined but mutually dependent, and come to consensus on an action plan based on a regional perspective. But the involvement of federal partners in the region and the Southern Governors' Association could provide strong motivation for PAM states and municipalities to do just that.
