In the United States, a city is a type of municipal corporation that can be called by another name. A town, for instance, is usually smaller than a city and cannot call itself one. The legal word for smaller municipal corporations is town or village; the word city can only be used if it’s part of another name: State College, Pennsylvania, or New York City, New York, for example. However, it’s not as clear-cut as that in practice. Many people might struggle to answer this question because there are many other factors involved when determining if a place is a city or not—and that’s probably why you’re reading this article! Read on to find out more about the Bronx as a city.
Is The Bronx A City?
Well, the Bronx is not a city; it is a borough in New York City. The Bronx spans 42 square miles (109 square kilometers) and has 2.5 million residents. It is the second-most-populated borough in New York City, second only to Brooklyn which has 2.6 million residents. The Bronx is home to many parks, including the largest park in all of New York City: Pelham Bay Park (1,466 acres).
What Is Included In The Bronx?
- The Bronx is a borough of New York City that is situated to the northwest of the city. The Bronx takes up most of the New York City borough of the same name. It is also sometimes referred to as Northern Gateway to New York City.
- The Bronx is bordered by the boroughs of Manhattan, Queens, and Brooklyn, and the river that separates Manhattan from the Bronx is the East River. Central and Southern parts of The Bronx lie on the Long Island Sound.
- The Bronx River, which is a tributary of the East River, runs through the Northern part of The Bronx. The Grand Concourse is a boulevard that runs through The Bronx.
- The New York Botanical Garden, New York Zoological Gardens, and the New York Botanical Gardens are in The Bronx.
Why Didn’t The Bronx Become Its Own City?
Taxes are too high in NYC
The Bronx was part of NYC even before it was a borough. This means that it was already paying taxes to the city. However, residents had a strong sense that they were paying too much. They thought that the city had grown too large and they were not getting enough benefits in return. This is a problem that many other cities around the world also face. For example, London is grappling with the same issue. Major cities are becoming increasingly expensive and less affordable for the locals who live there. This is because many people want to live in these cities. This means that property prices are rising, which is making life difficult for locals.
The Bronx has its own culture and identity
The Bronx has a long and fascinating history. It is actually the oldest of the five boroughs and has a very different culture and identity from the other boroughs. It is perhaps best known for its hip-hop scene, being the birthplace of rappers like The Notorious B.I.G. and LL Cool J. However, there is a lot more to this borough than just music. If it had become a city, it would have needed to get its own mayor and handle a wide variety of important issues such as health, education, and the economy. This would have created a stronger sense of identity and a greater sense of purpose among the residents of the Bronx.
There is very little green space in the Bronx
If you look at a map of the Bronx, you will notice that there is very little green space and open space. This presents a huge predicament for the borough and its future. The Bronx actually suffers from a lack of green space. This is a problem that many major cities around the world also face. If the Bronx became a city, it would have been able to address this issue. It would have been able to create its own parks, public spaces, and green areas. This would have made the borough a better place to live, work, and visit. It would have offered an escape from the otherwise bustling and busy nature of the Bronx.
Poor infrastructure and transportation options
There is a very clear difference between the infrastructure and transportation options in the Bronx and the rest of New York City. This shows that the borough has different priorities and needs than the rest of the city. There are also some issues with the infrastructure in the Bronx. This is especially evident in the South Bronx. The city is trying to address this by creating new housing and transportation options. However, the borough is obviously too small to sustain itself economically. This is another reason why the Bronx Scheme didn’t make it off the drawing board.
The plan would have required a Constitutional Amendment
The Bronx Scheme would have created a new city in New York that was directly linked to the rest of the city by a bridge. This would have required a Constitutional Amendment to go ahead. It would have also needed approval from the Senate and House of Representatives. The Constitution is a very old document and has not been updated since the mid-19th century. This is why the issue of a new city in the Bronx would have required an amendment.
How To Talk About Where You Live In The Bronx?
- If you live in the northernmost part of the Bronx, you’re in Riverdale. If you live in the southern end, you’re in the South Bronx.
- If you live in the middle, you’re in the central Bronx. If you live in the central Bronx, there’s a good chance that you live in the Bronx Borough. If you live in the central Bronx, you may call it the South Bronx, though the South Bronx is more specifically the southern part of the central Bronx.
- If you live in the southernmost part of the Bronx, you may call it the South Bronx or the South, but many people prefer to use the word Bronx.
Why Do People Think The Bronx Isn’t A City?
- There are two main reasons why people think the Bronx isn’t a city. The first is that the Bronx isn’t a separate county. Up until 1898, the Bronx was part of the county of New York. In 1898, the Bronx was annexed to New York City, but it wasn’t made a separate county. This is why many people who are unfamiliar with The Bronx’s history think that it’s a city and a county, but it isn’t.
- The second main reason why people think the Bronx isn’t a city is that the Bronx has a lower population density than some other cities in the United States. the thing that stops it from being called a city is that it is part of a larger city and has a lower population density than other American cities.
Bottom Line
Although they are not independent cities, the population, size, and employment numbers of the Bronx met the requirements to become a New York City. The establishment of a New York City in the Bronx would have given residents in the Bronx more control over their lives and given them more of a voice in the political process. Unfortunately, because of the size of the area and the population, legislators determined that it would be more appropriate to make the Bronx a New York City than to give it independent city status where residents would have more power. The establishment of a New York City in the Bronx is a victory for those who want to see their communities have more autonomy.
