A cascade of recent reports has described unprecedented growth in every category measured—population, employment, new business starts, manufacturing indices, traffic counts, in-migration, school attendance, and airport enplanements—highlighting the dynamism of the two “anchor cities” of Central Texas: Austin and San Antonio. In The Austin–San Antonio Megaregion: Opportunity and Challenge in the Lone Star State, authors Henry Cisneros, Robert Rivard, and David Hendricks reflect on the implications of this growth in light of what will be required to sustain the economic attractiveness and quality-of-life attributes that sparked this moment of expansion.In asking fundamental questions such as “Is this much growth actually good for the region?” and “If it is, are we prepared for it?” this book grapples with the realities of infrastructure. What emerges is a vision for this burgeoning urban corridor that, if implemented, can position the region to continue to thrive: attracting economic development and supporting a superior standard of living for its citizens for years to come.In their preface, the authors state, “The task before us is not easy, but it can be done. It is not a matter of liberal or conservative politics, of red or blue ideologies; it is a matter of realistic leadership and practical public consensus. The reality of the Austin–San Antonio megaregion is becoming more evident every day to those of us who live here. We try in this book to undergird those impressions with facts, data, and scenarios for the future.” The Austin–San Antonio Megaregion can serve as both a blueprint for future planning and a springboard for informed discussion about growth in this vital region.
