Satellite Town - Characteristics

Characteristics

Satellite cities are small or medium-sized cities near a large metropolis, that:

• predate the metropolis' suburban expansion
• are at least partially independent from that metropolis economically and socially
• are physically separated from the metropolis by rural territory or by a major geographic barrier such as a large river; satellite cities should have their own independent urbanized area, or equivalent
• have their own bedroom communities
• have a traditional downtown surrounded by traditional "inner city" neighborhoods
• may or may not be counted as part of the large metropolis' Combined Statistical Area