"When we think about the future of metropolitan areas it is not useful to envision them as cities surrounded by a ring of suburbs... We have to begin thinking of cities as metropolitan regions, as a matrix of development that extends over wide areas and includes many centres" (Hack). This highlights the need for an integrated planning approach that focuses on metropolitan regions as a whole.
The article mentions the relationship between a growing emphasis on metropolitan regions and the traditional downtown. As metropolitan regions have expanded, clusters of urban amenities have emerged, often becoming home to services traditionally associated with center cities. Thus, the center city must offer something unique, and specialise in areas that it has comparative advantage (presence of landmarks for tourism). For example, planning decisions must aim to capitalise on unique aspects of the CBD like the Harbour to differentiate it from growing district centres like Parramatta.
The idea of governance and it's impacts on the development and implementation of regional plans is also mentioned. It is stated that plans need to encompass regions, but devolution of power to local governments, as they are closest to the community, is beneficial. This is easier said than done, particularly in Australia where there is a power and resource struggle between the State and Local Governments.
The article raises some interesting points about the neccessity of plans to consider metropolitan regions as a whole, which I think will only become more imperative in the face of climate change and population growth.
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