Phoenix. The Valley of the Sun. Soon to be home to my sister and her girlfriend. They’re moving at the end of the month to start the next phase of their lives together. I am sad, of course, and yet happy for them on this exciting adventure. I am no expert in Phoenix, having only visited the city once, but as an urban planner, I am adept at researching city data. So, here I present some interesting facts and observations about Phoenix from a planning perspective.
It’s Big!
Phoenix’s population is 1.469 million people. The city alone accounts for 22% of the State of Arizona’s population, making it the primate city in the state. It’s the 6th most populous city, behind New York, Los Angeles, Chicago, Houston and Philadelphia. It’s metropolitan area is home to two-thirds of all Arizonans. It’s footprint is gigantic as well. Lying in the Salt River Valley of the Sonoran Desert, Phoenix spreads out over 516 miles, more than twice the land area of Chicago. And for all that land, it’s not particularly dense, with only 2,800 people per square mile, or about a quarter of Chicago’s population per square mile. This kind of density is hard to support transit, but you might be surprised that one of the newest and most successful light rail lines was built in the city recently (more on that below).
Getting Around
Given the size of the urban area and the character of its urbanism (suburbanism), a car is essential for reasonable travel. Unfortunately, your visitors will be arriving via plane, as the last passenger rail service was suspended in 1996. Phoenix is the largest city without intercity passenger train service. However, visitors landing at Sky Harbor International Airport have the option of taking the train. The Metro light rail system, a 20 mile single line system serving 28 stations, opened in 2008. The line serves central Phoenix, Tempe and Mesa. Back to being big – Mesa, at almost 440,000 people, is the second largest suburb in the U.S., ranking above many major cities like Miami, Atlanta, and St. Louis.
Sky Harbor is the main Phoenix airport and has a Southwest hub, very important for travel back to Chicago. It’s the 10th busiest in terms of passenger traffic.
Roads are plentiful. The main interstates are 10 and 17. I-17 will take you to Sedona in 2 hours, Flagstaff in 2 and a half. I-10 will take you to L.A. in 7 hours or so. As a Chicagoan, I was struck by the size of the arterial roads in the Phoenix area. Six lanes with a double left turn lane are common. It’s no wonder everyone drives.
Similarities to Chicago
Not many as you might expect. But the obvious ones are sports related. The Chicago Cubs have the spring training home in Mesa, attracting a lot of Chicagoans to visit and retire. Also, not to be forgotten, is the fact that the Arizona Cardinals used to be the Chicago Cardinals until 1960. I also think Phoenix’s dominance as Arizona’s primate city and capital is somewhat similar to Chicago. And the prevalance of the cardinal direction street grid is familiar to Chicagoans.
Like all cities, Phoenix is fascinating and has an interesting story. From my perspective as an urban planner, particularly in the transportation realm, I am fascinated by the urban form of the region, how transportation or natural (or political) boundaries enforce the geography of a place. Phoenix has more stories to tell.
Cross posted at Transport Nexus.
Not bad coverage! Travel times you have listed are a sign of a Chicagoan’s measuring up a town. Your times are a bit off because there are so many lanes. Phoenix is 40+ miles across north to south so you can’t really list travel times as you have them in here. It’s one of the quirks for a Chicagoan to adjust to, (IE, me!). At one time I had a work commute of 48 miles each way, all within Phoenix boundaries. 45 min in, 1.5hrs to get home. The only really reason I mention it is it makes a difference what part of Phoenix you live in for the “Sedona” commute. I have friends that don’t bat an eye at going up to Sedona or Prescott on a Sunday for brunch because it’s about an hour drive. I never join them though because I’m on the south edge of Phoenix & it’s over 2hrs for me. Yet, we both have a Phoenix address.
I am surprised that you missed http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/PHX_Sky_Train . Notice the only working “train” that bridges an operational taxiway. It’s pretty impressive. Another thing to get used to down here that is “Non-Chicagoan” is that things are non union. I mention that because the Sky Train went up amazingly quick. Within one year the Train & bridge went up along with rerouting 2 expressways to accommodate For me I’m still stunned that in my 5 years here I’ve seen about a third of the expressways be overhauled, mostly overnight & weekends so it doesn’t affect traffic.
For a transportation planner from Chicago, Phoenix can be really interesting. Things change around here really fast. I’d say 25+% of the people I’ve met here have Chicago roots & appreciate it. Natives & Californians however wreak absolute havoc on the roads here. It’s more RARE FOR ME TO NOT SEE a left turn from a right lane or vise-verse; and U-Turns in the middle of a 60mph road are the norm. Western drivers have grown up accustomed to the street space & pull out without looking, usually into the middle lane & with the assumption that there’s enough space/lanes for you to see & dodge them. Being from Chicago I respect having the space, but natives take it for granted & make dodging them your problem.
After 5 years here I’ve learned that driving like an absolute asshole is the only way to get from A to B regardless of time of day, speed limits are merely a suggestion on the 6 lane arteries, and driving in any sort of rain here is way worse than driving in the first snow of the Chicago season. But the road space, the 8-12 lane expressways, lack of tollways, & the awesome road conditions can make a Chicago commuter one happy ass camper!!
Just a few things I thought were worth adding to a good article Ryan. Thanks for the read!!
You’re definitely right in that my travel times definitely depend on where you are at in Phoenix. Obviously, coming from the south part of Phoenix adds quite a bit of time on for the Sedona trip. I can’t believe I missed the sky train either. I knew about it anecdotally, but kind of forgot that it was actually under construction. It’s fantastic that it will hook up to Metro.
I’ve seen and experienced the local drivers. It seems they’re similar to the drivers in Vegas too. Not sure what it is with Californians not knowing how to drive. And I am amazed at how spacious things are – six and eight lane arterial roads, 10-12 lane highways, we just don’t have that kind of thing in Chicago. I’ve also liked the solar panels that I’ve seen in places over parking lots. Makes sense, keeps the car cool and generates power.
I hope to add some more things and plan on visiting in the next year. Perhaps I’ll come out this time next year in time to see Cubs spring training.