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Joining two political units, such as municipalities, counties, or cities into one entity is referred to as Amalgamation. In United States politics, such an entity may be called a consolidated city-county. The merge may be caused because the growth or outward expansion of either one has caused them to physically and visually seem as part of the same one or may be simply an administrative decision, since taking such a decision may imply a change in how the entity is managed. However, some cities (such as Caracas) that have gone though amalgamation or a similar process feature several administrative sub-divisions or jurisdictions, each with a separate person in charge.

Amalgamation may also be used to describe the combination of several actual cities into one within works of fiction, often evidenced by the sight of several landmarks that in real life wouldn't be found in the same city. This is usually seen in films shot in several cities, generally with the purpose of not locating the fictional city in which the action takes place as an existing locaiton.

[edit] Notable Amalgamations

Over the years political parties have taken aim at cities as part of a larger political agenda. Often the abolishment of a level of government results in the growth of another level - negating the original purpose of the merger. Some of the more polically charged transformations of city governments has been led by conservative parties, as to target the usually more liberal voting urban regions.

Some of the more notable amalgamations are noted below:

• UK - Greater London Council - Eliminated by Margaret Thatcher, as it was seen as a threat to the Conservative party.
• Canada
  • Metro Toronto - Eliminated by the Mike Harris part of the so called 'Common Sense Revolution, to create the new city of Toronto.
  • City of Ottawa - In 2001, the municipalities of Cumberland, Osgoode, Rideau, Goulbourn, West Carleton, Nepean, Kanata, Gloucester, Vanier and Rockcliffe Park became part of Ottawa.

[edit] See also

• Combined Statistical Area
• Conurbation
• Ecumenopolis
• Ekistics
• Independent city, the opposite of a consolidated city-county
• City-State
• Megalopolis (term)
• Megacity
• Metropolitan area
• Metroplex
• Metropolis