Interjurisdictional transport conflict in the Phoenix Metropolitan area

Abstract

There is no single administrative unit which governs all facets of metropolitan areas in the USA. Instead administrative and regulatory powers are usually shared by a number of jurisdictions, with multiple lines of authority, each exercising control and taxing powers over specific areas. The unique make-up of the American metropolis frequently results in conflicts within jurisdictions between different neighbourhoods, between jurisdictions, or between the state and local jurisdictions. The purpose of this paper is to examine how the nature of the local state leads to conflicts between neighbouring juridical units in metropolitan areas and to gain an understanding of the causes of conflicts and the characteristics of the participants. It specifically looks at transport confrontations between local jurisdictions in the Phoenix metropolitan area from 1980 to 1989. The efficient movement of people, goods, and services is critical to the quality of urban life and economic success in urban areas; however, the growth of Phoenix metropolitan over the last 45 years has placed a tremendous strain on its transport system that has led to a number of conflicts between metropolitan jurisdictions. It is through empirical work, that focuses on the local state, that we gain an understanding of the impact of conflict involving economic changes, social movements, and land use policy. This study seeks to add to that understanding.