City proper is defined as a "locality with legally fixed boundaries and an administratively recognized urban status that is usually characterized by some form of local government", or the area within the corporate limits. This definition has been consistently used since the United Nations Demographic Yearbook 2000. The authors of "Urban development in the world dryland regions" note that "city proper: defined as a locality with legally fixed boundaries and an administratively recognized urban status which is usually characterized by some form of local government" was used as far back as in the United Nations Demographic Yearbook 1976. Using the prevalent definition, "city proper" is not limited to a city, it can describe the complete area of any locality that fits the definition. Also, there is no universal definition for city. The United Nations sometimes use the definition “the city proper is the single political jurisdiction which contains the historical city centre.” City proper is one of the three basic concepts used to define urban areas and populations. The other two are urban agglomeration, and the metropolitan area. "City proper" sometimes takes on different meanings in different parts of the world. Even in the English speaking world, there can be considerable confusion about the term “city proper.” In some countries, city limits that act as the demarcation for the city proper are drawn very wide, in some very narrow. This can be cause for recurring controversy. In simple terms, city proper is the area within the city limits. It is not limited to the downtown or urban area, and it does not include the surrounding areas.
Read more about City Proper: Usage, Etymology, Internationalization, Misuse, Controversy
Famous quotes containing the words city and/or proper:
““Do not be afraid; for see -I am bringing you good news of great joy for all the people: to you is born this day in the city of David a Savior, who is the Messiah, the Lord. This will be a sign for you: you will find a child wrapped in bands of cloth and lying in a manger.””
—Bible: New Testament, Luke 2:10 -12.
Angels to the Shepherds.
“We were hospitably entertained in Concord, New Hampshire, which we persisted in calling New Concord, as we had been wont, to distinguish it from our native town, from which we had been told that it was named and in part originally settled. This would have been the proper place to conclude our voyage, uniting Concord with Concord by these meandering rivers, but our boat was moored some miles below its port.”
—Henry David Thoreau (1817–1862)