Migration and Depopulation of the Metropolis: Regional Restructuring or Rural Renaissance?

Post-1970 population redistribution shifts in several developed countries have led to unprecedented population losses in their largest metropolitan areas. Migration processes that underlie these shifts in the US are evaluated in light of 2 theoretical perspectives that foresee decidedly different redistribution tendencies. This article evaluates the post-1970 redistribution transformation in the US in light of 2 theoretical perspectives that suggest decidely different growth tendencies for the nations largest metropolitan areas. The regional restructuring perspective emphasizes the new organization of production and its associated delocalization tendencies. The deconcentration perspective places greater emphasis on the new residential locational flexibility associated with post-1970 economic and technological developments and the more diffuse urbanization tendencies these shifts will bring about. This studys comparision of broad redistribution patterns associated with pre- and post-1970 migration processes provides general support for the deconcentration perspective. The deconcentration tendencies implied by the post-1970 migration processes may well become more exaggerated as work activities become even more portable and urban amenities and characteristics pervade the totality of the nations territory. It remains to be seen whether or not these deconcentration tendencies will lead to a continuing depopulation of the metropolis.