“Rightsizing”
Where Are Micropolitans?
“Rural” has multiple definitions depending on who is classifying us and why. The definition is
so loose that it can include everyone who lives in small cities with populations of 100,000 or less.1 That’s a lot of place diversity. So, to simplify, let’s define a “micropolitan” as a place anchored with
a human-scaled, walkable downtown. In other words, micropolitans are the smallest cities possi- ble—and each have the potential to be simultane- ously “micro” and “cosmopolitan”. Or, “Mountain meets Metropolitan” as urban Appalachia is described in the blog The Hillville.
>> Of Americans surveyed in 2009, 51% indicated that they would prefer to live in either a small town (30%) or rural area (21%).
Office tenants will decrease space per employee, transforming into meeting places more than work places, with an emphasis on open configurations that foster interaction.
Rightsizing
“Major companies will value space in 24-hour urban centers to enable innovation. For example, Google has invested in one of the largest buildings in downtown Manhattan, a beaux arts building in central Paris, a warehouse in downtown Pittsburgh, and a new building in downtown Boulder, Colorado… A far cry from the office parks of the 20th century.
Gen Y, now in their teens through early thirties, prefer smaller homes in favor of an easier commute and better lifestyle.
“For most people, constrained finances will lead to more shared housing and multi-generational households.
Mobility: People are selling their cars or never buying one in the first place, opting for car sharing when they absolutely need one. The same is true even for bicycles with the rise of bike sharing.
Health: U.S. Americans are finally prioritizing rightsizing their bodies, with an emphasis on health and fitness, greatly benefitting from living in cities where biking and walking are more efficient than driving.
