Potential Megapolitan Powerhouse 

They are headed our way – millions of newcomers looking for a fresh start in Arizona.

Serving as a pipeline for that growth is the Arizona Sun Corridor, a “megapolitan” area that spans from the Mexican border at Nogales through Yavapai County. By 2030, the population in that stretch of Arizona is expected to grow by more than 2 million residents.

“The world is changing so rapidly that the notion of independent cities thinking they can be competitive on a global scale is outmoded,” said Michael Crow, president of Arizona State University.

“It’s not Phoenix and it’s not Tucson. The question is what is the region capable of on a global scale?”

Crow spoke to a capacity audience of 600 this fall at the 2011 TREO Annual Luncheon at the Hilton Tucson El Conquistador Golf & Tennis Resort. He delved into the evolution of the megapolitan – the new urban unit of focus.

“Megapolitan is the new word that replaces