Between 2006 and 2016, the number of U.S. cities grew by 1% annually, according to U.S. Census figures. This growth was led by middle and higher class suburbs that had been neglected for years due to the development of more affluent communities in more populated areas.
These new cities were inspired by the success of larger, boomtowns such as Phoenix and Austin, both of which have a history and still maintain a strong community feel even today. Many people attribute this feeling to their city to stay close to family and friends, as well as the abundance of things to do close by.
The viability of intermediate-sized cities like those in Middle America is dependent on whether they can attract enough jobs and growth or not. As we explain in this article, neither issue appears to be facing any major challenges at this time.
Their ability to provide a low cost of living
The viability of intermediate-sized cities in the Caribbean and in middle American depends on several factors, including cost of living, transportation access, and quality of life metrics.
As noted earlier, the Viable Large City (VLC) model has been successful in areas with high levels of disposable income. These areas typically have access to transportation, are close to large urban centers, and have a high quality of life.
The cost of living in these areas is usually much higher than the national average, which adds further incentive for people to move. Additionally, areas with high quality of life metrics tend to be more dependent on jobs than less expensive regions that do not offer the same level of comfort.
The Caribean islands have become popular retirement destinations as they offer a low cost of living along with a quality of life that is above average for places near the water.
The development of their cultural scene
A middle-sized city is defined as a land-area-density of approximately 500 acres, or 100 homes per square mile. Since most medium and larger cities have a central core with stores, schools, and other public services, having a small urban area around the core is common.
This is not the case for smaller cities, which are typically located in rural areas. Most have difficulty maintaining their cultural scene without support from government, which maintains its funding through local taxes.
Smaller cities also find it harder to develop significant economic development outside of government support. For example, if there is an event that needs to be held to draw attention to the city and its community members, it must be sponsored by government. This can make developing an independent economy hard.
However, both factors listed above play a role in the viability of intermediate-sized cities in the Caribbean and Middle American regions. Government support can help keep communities strong by providing investment in infrastructure such as transportation systems and community centers.
Their ability to be a hub for transportation and shipping
The viability of intermediate-sized cities in the Caribbean and in middle America depends on what they can do as a hub for transportation and shipping.
It also depends on how much power they have to influence their local, state, and national governments to be able to implement their plans for the city.
If a city can establish itself as a shipping and transportation hub, then it has a decent chance at being viable. However, this will depend on whether or not it has enough land to build a city up, whether or not people will come if the city is viably, and what plans they have if the rest of the country does not agree with them.
A possible plan would be for a city government to petition the U.S. government for permission to build a port or seaport, which would allow them to import and export goods via ship. This would depend on whether or not it was needed, however.
Their proximity to major cities with international connections
A middle-class city with a large population of working- and middle-class people is going to need to develop close to a city center, or it will be lost to thinner, less affluent neighborhoods.
intermediate-sized cities in the midwest and south are an attractive place to live due to the relatively reliable job growth and cost of living. This is especially important for younger people who can find affordable housing in these neighborhoods.
However, the ability for young people to move out of the area and for older people to retire at a reasonable cost is also important when determining viability. If neither factor are viable for a city, it will likely have less interest from potential residents and retirement residents.
Determining if a city has enough jobs is an important part of determining its viability. Job creation is dependent on both population growth and job retention, which requires access to capital.
Their ability to provide affordable housing options
As home prices rise and demand for housing increases, more people are forced to live in small, limited-access communities that lack both essential public services and widely available housing options.
This is a growing phenomenon as more and more people migrate to urban areas to find affordable housing. Between 2010 and 2015, for example, the U.S. saw a 431% increase in the number of households that owned a firearm, according to a Harvard study.
In addition to providing security and privacy requirements make intermediate–sized cities desirable places to live for several reasons: They can be peaceful and comfortable without much traffic; they can offer opportunities for education and profession; they can be location independent with little need for outside resources; and they can be gateway cities that connect isolated rural communities into regional centers.
Opportunities for green infrastructure and sustainability initiatives
Green infrastructure and sustainability initiatives are rapidly growing sectors that demand sustainable design and operation. Companies are developing guidelines and standards for green infrastructure and sustainability in their industries, making it an opportunity for jobs.
Job applications can include a green infrastructure or sustainability design project or initiative as part of the job description. A designer or developer can gain valuable skills during their career which can last decades.
The fields of architecture, engineering, education, social work, public health, law, and governance all have roles in designing and operating sustainable structures. This is not just for climate change reasons, but to learn new building techniques and how to implement them in everyday structures.
Their capacity to become cultural hubs with a vibrant nightlife
If intermediate-sized cities can become cultural hubs, then larger cities are missing out on a chance to surpass them. A large city can provide more services and opportunities for its residents, making it a more viable place to live, work, and enjoy your community.
However, if the residents of these smaller cities can not rely on the city government to maintain a vibrant nightlife or an active social scene, then the viability of these cities lies in their ability to attract affluent populations who can help them fulfill their needs.
For instance, while Evanston, Illinois has a very strong college environment with Northwestern University nearby, they have been unable to maintain an active social scene because of its small size.
Size does not matter for this type of community; what matters is whether or not people feel comfortable being out in public with this kind of information out in public.
Their potential as startup hubs
The term ‘intermediate-sized city’ doesn’t mean that a city is small, it means that it isn’t a larger city, but isn’t also a suburb either. Intermediate-sizes typically have a higher population density than suburbs and/or rural areas.
This can be an asset or a liability. For example, a small town with good schools may be more viable as a business hub than a larger city with fewer of those qualities.
As mentioned earlier, the viability of intermediate-sizes as startup hubs depends on what type of startups are viable there. If you look at the types of companies currently operating in nearby cities, you will see that they are very different from what you would consider “ordinary businesses.”
For example, there is an eatery in another town that serves only vegan and vegetarian food. Or another town has an apparel company that sells all kinds of cute clothing.
