Southern California

Sothern_California.png With some of the largest ports in the nation, the economy of Southern California is closely tied to the logistics and goods movement industry.  This region is taking aggressive action to build infrastructure that enhances its role as a global gateway while providing opportunities for its fast growing native-born and immigrant populations.

Location: Southern California / Nevada from the border with Mexico to Santa Barbara and east to Las Vegas
Principal Cities: Los Angeles, San Diego, Anaheim, Long Beach, Las Vegas
Population 2000: 21,858,662
Percent of U.S. Population: 8%
Population 2025: 28,692,923
Projected Growth: 31%
2005 GDP: $1,036,000,000,000
Percent of US GDP: 7%

Recent Entries

California Jurisdictions Explore Megaregion Strategies, Fed Awards $225,000 For Initiative

By Petra on April 11, 2008 5:23 PM

"Gas is $4 a gallon and we still have congestion" said Jim Spering, Solano County Supervisor in California recognizing that clogged roadways and reduced productivity must be addressed at a much larger scale.  More than one hundred leading transportation experts from the Bay and Sacramento corridor gathered on Thursday, April 10th, to explore the possibility of coordinating transportation plans at the megaregion scale in an attempt to attract funding for projects.

In a parallel effort, the San Diego Regional Economic Development Corporation and Imperial Valley EDC received a $225,000 grant to spearhead a study that aims to develop a megaregion framework for global competition.  The U.S. Department of Commerce's Economic Development Administration awarded the grant, which will cover the two southern California counties and the Northern Baja California, Mexico region.

Click below for the articles:

'Mega-region touted for transit - TheReporter.Com

"EDCs Receive $225,000 Grant for Mega-Region Initiative - International Business Times

America 2050 Research Seminar on Megaregions

By Petra on April 1, 2008 1:56 PM
March 19-21: Healdsburg, CA: Regional Plan Association and the Lincoln Institute of Land Policy gathered planners and scholars from the U.S. and China for a two-day retreat to foster academic dialogue on megaregion planning.  RPA and Lincoln commissioned four papers on two topics: (1) comparative studies of Asian megaregions and (2) social equity implications of megaregion planning.  The forum featured presentations from the authors, followed by responses and discussions.  Read more about the papers and download the PowerPoint presentations in the extended entry.
California megaregions.jpg
Image: Northern and Southern California Megaregions, Benner and Pastor (2008)
Continue reading America 2050 Research Seminar on Megaregions.

New Report Highlights Planning Challenges at the Megaregional Scale

By Petra on September 11, 2007 9:48 AM
Healdsburg cover.jpgRegional Plan Association and the Lincoln Institute of Land Policy convened scholars and planners at a research seminar in Healdsburg, California last April to explore an emerging urban form: the megaregion. Megaregions are networks of metropolitan areas linked by economic and trade relationships, transportation infrastructure, large natural systems, and growth concerns. First identified as "megalopolis" in the 1960s, the Northeast Megaregion, from southern Maine to northern Virginia, presents the most recognizable example of this urban form. The report includes four scholarly papers examining case studies of megaregions in California,Texas, the Midwest, and Western Europe. Read the press release.
Download the full report (15 MB)
Download the report in sections:
Cover and Table of Contents (6 MB)
Introduction by Armando Carbonell
Megaregions in California: Challenges to Planning and Policy by Michael Teitz and Elisa Barbour (2 MB)
Connecting the Texas Triangle: Economic Integration and Transportation Coordination by Ming Zhang, Frederick Steiner, and Kent Butler (5 MB)
U.S. Regional Economic Fragmentation & Integration: Selected Empirical Evidence and Implications by Edward Feser and Geoffrey Hewings (1 MB)
Polycentric Mega-city Regions: Exploratory Research from Western Europe by Peter Taylor and Kathy Pain (.5 MB)
Summary of Meeting (.6 MB)
Continue reading New Report Highlights Planning Challenges at the Megaregional Scale.

So Cal’s Expected Growth Could Require Billions in Infrastructure Investments

By Petra on July 12, 2007 3:17 PM
So%20Cal%20Infrastructure%20Needs.jpgCalifornia’s population is expected to reach nearly 60 million by 2050; with more than half residing in Southern California. The LA Times recently reported that So Cal could anticipate more than $100 billion in infrastructure investments to accommodate this growth. Planning studies suggest the six county region would need as much as $140 billion over the next several decades to keep the roads congestion free. In addition, cargo movement is expected to increase by 400 percent over the same period. Because of the scarcity of developable land, especially in and around Los Angeles county, officials are looking at decked freeways, tunnels, tolls, and trains as potential solutions to improve capacity.

Read LA Times Article

The Southern California Megaregion

By Petra on September 1, 2005 3:17 PM
The Southern California Megaregion encompasses Los Angeles, Kern, Orange, Riverside and San Diego counties, as well as the northern portion of Baja California, including Mexicali, Tijuana and Ensenada. Numerous regional planning councils, including the Southern California Association of Governments (SCAG), the San Diego Association of Governments (SANDAG), and the Kern County Council of Governments have collaborated on a planned growth strategy for the region entitled: The Southwest Mega Region: A Case Study of Global Gateway Regions: America's Third Century Strategy.  Download the report
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