1. 1 Megaregions and the Case for National Infrastructure Policy Petra Todorovich Director, America 2050 Megaregions + MetroProsperity Sustainable Economics for the Texas Triangle Megaregion September 24, 2009 Houston, TX

2. 2 Global climate change and foreign oil dependence Rapid population growth and demographic change Threats to our global competitiveness Economic disparities and loss of opportunity

3. 3

4. 4 University of Pennsylvania International Competitors European global integration zones Chinese Megaregions -- Pearl River Delta

5. 5 Megaregion Priorities: Building Blocks of a National Plan High-speed rail Seaports, airports, and goods movement Energy transmission and generation Water infrastructure and protection

6. 6 Megaregion Forums to Set Priorities Chicago, November 17, 2008 Atlanta, March 23, 2009 Washington, May 9, 2008 Sacramento, Dec 2, 2008 Los Angeles, June 19, 2009 New York, April 17, 2009

7. 7 A Tradition of National Planning Gallatin Plan 1808 Theodore Roosevelt and Gifford Pinchot 1908

8. 8 National Resources Planning Board and the Interstate System National System of Interstate Highways, Public Roads Administration, 1947 Early interstate plan, from “Toll Roads and Free Roads,” National Resources Planning Board and Bureau of Public Roads, 1939

9. 9 “This is an opportunity not only to deal with the immediate crisis, but also to lay the foundations for long-term growth and prosperity in this country.” – President Barack Obama The American Recovery and Reinvestment Act

10. 10

11. 11

12. 12

13. 13 Planning at Every Scale 1.City planning 2.Regional planning 3.Megaregion-scale coordination 4.National Infrastructure Plan Top right: Flickr/cbcastro

14. 14 Energy Transportation Water

15. 15 Population Pressures on Water Supply Lake Lanier, Atlanta ReservoirLake Mead, Las Vegas Reservoir

16. 16 Climate Change and Water Infrastructure HIGHEST HIGH MEDIUM LOW LOWEST STORM SURGE RISK Storm Surge Risk in Houston, TX Flooding in Iowa, Jun 2008

17. 17 Green Infrastructure Storm water management in Portland: Flickr/ La Citta Vita Wetland Restoration in Florida: Flickr/Seamoor

18. 18 Securing our Energy Future Efficiency Research & Development Steady market signals Transmission The Smart Grid

19. 19 Renewable Energy and the Smart Grid Source: The Economist, ABB

20. 20 www.America2050.org www.rpa.org