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 you know what Agelisas said, when he was asked why the great city of Lacedomonie was not girded with walls? Because, pointing out the inhabitants and citizens of the city, so expert in military discipline and so strong and well armed: “Here,” he said, “are the walls of the city,” meaning that there is no wall but of bones, and that towns and cities can have no more secure nor stronger wall than the virtue of their citizens and inhabitants.”
—François Rabelais (1494–1553)
““The proper stuff of fiction” does not exist; everything is the proper stuff of fiction, every feeling, every thought; every quality of brain and spirit is drawn upon; no perception comes amiss.”
—Virginia Woolf (1882–1941)