Defining a region for dist

1. Let’s Get Rolling!
Defining a Region

2. Starting to roll...
• “Region” often has varied definitions
• “Urban” is also sometimes
ambiguous
• Types of Regions
– Homogeneous regions
– Administrative regions
– Functional regions

3. Homogeneous Regions
• Homogeneous regions – regions with
internal similarity

4. Bible Belt
Source:datingjesus.wordpress.com

5. Corn Belt
Source: destinationusa.info

6. Homogeneous Regions
• Homogeneous regions – regions with
internal similarity
– Often informal
• Bible belt
• Rust belt
• Sun belt
– Similar geography, culture, or economic
development problems
• i.e. Appalachia...

8. Administrative Regions
• Administrative regions – formed for
managerial or organizational purposes
– Private and public orgs define own regions
• Cities, townships, school districts, fire districts...
– Definitive areas of service
– Overlap each other
– Large number:
• Beneficial - choice to constituents
• Detrimental – layers of bureaucracy and fixed costs

9. Functional Regions
• Functional Regions – area that is
internally integrated

10. Wilmington?

11. Functional Regions

12. Functional Regions

13. Functional Regions
• Functional Regions – area that is
internally integrated
– Not necessarily official regions
– Local businesses trade w/ each other
more than others
• i.e. city with a central core and suburbs

14. Functional Regions
Central City
Urban Area
County
Boundaries
Satellite
Community

15. Region Names
• Core Based Statistical Area (CBSA) –
one or more counties anchored by
urban core
– County boundaries fairly stable
• Cities change with annexation
– Defined by Office of Management and
Budget
– Used by Census Bureau etc.
– Contains urban center of 10,000 people
or more

16. Region Names
• Types:
– Metropolitan Statistical Area (MSA)
• 50k+ center, 100k+ total
• ~500 MSAs
– Micropolitan Statistical Area
• 10k-50k center
• ~500
– Combined Statistical Area (CSA)
• Combination of metro and micro areas
• Pop 1m+