An Edge city is a large suburban area that has developed into a major hub of jobs, offices, retail, and entertainment—essentially functioning like a downtown outside the traditional central city. The term was popularized by journalist Joel Garreau in his 1991 book Edge City: Life on the New Frontier, and it’s commonly used by urban planners, geographers, and economists to describe how economic activity has decentralized from historic city centers into the suburbs.
In the Twin Cities, Bloomington would qualify to be on the edge. It is the third-largest employer and frequently competes for firms that once occupied downtown office space. The Mall of America is located in Bloomington. Yet, it is also a leafy suburb, a home to plenty of parks and other popular city amenities.
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