Crosscontiguities

Crosscontiguities is a term used in urban planning and geography to describe the phenomenon where distinct urban or suburban areas, often with different development characteristics, grow towards each other and become adjacent. This process can lead to the blurring of boundaries between previously separate settlements or zones. For example, a city might expand outwards, and simultaneously, a suburban town might develop inwards, eventually meeting and forming a contiguous urbanized area.

The concept highlights how development patterns are not always contained within predefined administrative boundaries. It acknowledges that physical growth can occur across these lines, leading to new spatial relationships. Understanding crosscontiguities is important for planning as it can impact infrastructure needs, service provision, transportation networks, and the overall character of the affected areas. It can also influence land use policies, as the merging of different development types may create new challenges and opportunities for management. The term emphasizes the interconnectedness of urban growth and the potential for unplanned integration of diverse areas.