Pennsylvania is a Metro State - America is a Metro Nation

April 10, 2008

Today, Bruce Katz was in Harrisburg to meet with policy makers and community leaders to discuss An Economic Plan for the Commonwealth: Unleashing the Assets of Metropolitan Pennsylvania. I was privileged to hear a customized version of his Metro America presentation, with specific slides for Pennsylvania. Afterward I joined him in a casual reception and conversation. Rather than paraphrase his thesis hear, I think I’ll just have Bruce share it in his own words. Below are four youtube videos, totalling just over a half hour in length. Just start it.

Part One

Part Two

Part Three

Part Four

When considering these ideas, remember that “metro” is not a synonym of “urban”. In fact, many metro areas contain urban, suburban, and rural landscapes. A good example of this is Lancaster county, which lies entirely within one of the 100 metro areas that Bruce is discussing, farmland and all.