The living patterns of the people in Albuquerque's region create a need for region-wide systems to serve the people. Examples of these systems are transportation, water and sewerage, open space and recreation, education, and housing. Systems requirements differ as living patterns vary. Thus the current, low-density, scattered pattern depends almost totally on the automobile. A more compact pattern that would emphasize higher densities and mixed uses might be more conducive to transit, walking, and other transportation modes.
Systems required by differing living patterns also vary in cost.
This low-density pattern not only costs more because of the length of the required systems, but also requires that families own and maintain multiple vehicles. Thus the cost of doing business rises, and the Albuquerque region finds itself in a less competitive position in the global economy we now live in. Governments in the Region Within the entire region are four counties, seventeen municipalities and nine Indian tribal governments. The contiguous urbanized area contains seven cities and towns, of which Albuquerque and Rio Rancho, spread over three counties, are the largest. In order for regional systems to be planned and managed, people from multiple jurisdictions must work together.