Wisconsin Metropatterns: Regional Cooperation, Economic Growth, and Environmental Protection

Abstract

This research identifies the suburban typology of Wisconsin through a study of the social and fiscal disparities within the state. Municipal tax base and other demographic data, such as poverty rates measured at the school-level, are used to show wide variations in the capacities of suburban municipalities to provide local public services. The results show clear signs of current fiscal and social stress in the region. A range of regional fiscal, planning, and governance reforms are also evaluated.

Keywords: Wisconsin, metropolitan, land use, planning structural reform, polarization, governmental reform, regional equity, infrastructure, sprawl, transportation

JEL Classification: E61, E62, H20, H71, H73, I22, J10, O10, O20, R10