Abstract

This proposal defines inherent complexities in the movement of human capital, raw materials, and industrial products, as well as their impact on regional identity and the built environment. Occupying a key strategic position between the North American Atlantic coast and its mid-continental heartland, the Great Lakes megaregion significantly influenced the industrial and infrastructural development of two nations. Geographic distribution of mineral wealth and manufacturing centers facilitated early flows of raw materials from the region’s north and west to processing and production hubs in its south and east. Corresponding demand for industrialization created intercontinental human flows that continue to shape the character and connectedness of these cities today—revealed by demographic shifts, cultural agglomerations, and the physical environment. Such conditions gave rise to the development of vibrant and sophisticated cities reflecting imported notions of urbanism. Our proposal asserts that the early internationalization of the region, tied to both industry and the human experience, contrasts significantly with contemporary conditions. By engaging the past and present, we reflect on a very particular experience revealing the ebb and flow of great cities. What connectivity existed and remains between the cities of the Great Lakes megaregion? Our proposal illustrates how positive and negative exchanges have transformed Cleveland and Duluth. By analyzing and mapping dynamic organizational flows that shift our understanding of place, we demonstrate how urban economies, demographics, and intrinsic cultural contributions have permanently reconfigured the built environment of both cities.