Product No.: 07043
Date Published: 01/2007
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In 1993, DVRPC published the first Rating the Region report, which compared the Philadelphia metropolitan area to the nation's nine other largest metros plus Pittsburgh and Baltimore as regional competitors. That report found that the Philadelphia region had one of the nation's most diverse economies, low unemployment, a low poverty rate, affordable housing, relatively low taxes, short commute times, and a multitude of colleges, universities, and hospitals. This 2007 version of Rating the Region updates the 1993 report, providing an objective, quantifiable analysis of the relative strengths and weaknesses of the Delaware Valley region. Using comparable data from the Census Bureau and other Federal agencies, existing conditions and trends of the region are measured against other metropolitan regions around the country. The report compares the metropolitan areas in terms of their human environment (including diversity, age, income, education, health, and safety); the economy; the built and natural environment (including density, housing characteristics, residential construction, and urban parkland); transportation; and the civic environment (including representation, taxes, revenue, expenditures, conservation funding, and arts and culture). Based on this analysis, the Delaware Valley continues to offer a diverse economy, affordable housing opportunities, a quality highway and transit network, short commute times, quality air and port facilities, a large number of colleges, universities, and cultural opportunities, and an extensive health care network. These strengths, however, threaten to be checked by regional challenges, such as urban concentrations of poverty and unemployment, low labor force participation, poor educational attainment in its cities, a rapidly aging population, and fragmented local government. The challenge facing the region is capitalizing and building on its strengths while recognizing and working to address its identified weaknesses.Geographic Area Covered: The nation's eleven largest metropolitan statistical areas (New York, Los Angeles, Chicago, Dallas-Fort Worth, Philadelphia, Houston, Miami, Washington DC, Atlanta, Detroit, and Boston) plus the Baltimore MSA and the Pittsburgh MSA.
Key Words: Metropolitan statistical area (MSA), the human environment, the economy, the built and natural environment, transportation, the civic environment, regional strengths, regional challenges
Staff Contact(s)
- Brett Fusco (bfusco@dvrpc.org)
Translation Request
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Title VI Statement
The Delaware Valley Regional Planning Commission (DVRPC) fully complies with Title VI of the Civil Rights Act of 1964, the Civil Rights Restoration Act of 1987, Executive Order 12898 on Environmental Justice, and related nondiscrimination mandates in all programs and activities. DVRPC's website, www.dvrpc.org, may be translated into multiple languages. Publications and other public documents can usually be made available in alternative languages and formats, if requested. DVRPC’s public meetings are always held in ADA-accessible facilities, and held in transit-accessible locations whenever possible. Translation, interpretation, or other auxiliary services can be provided to individuals who submit a request at least seven days prior to a public meeting. Translation and interpretation services for DVRPC’s projects, products, and planning processes are available, generally free of charge, by calling (215) 592-1800. All requests will be accommodated to the greatest extent possible.
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