Some quick answers to common questions about twin cities:
What is a twin city?
A twin city is a pair of cities that have a special cultural, economic, or political relationship. They are often located close to each other and share infrastructure like transportation links and public services.
Why do cities become twin cities?
There are a few common reasons cities may develop into twin cities:
- They are founded and grow together, like Minneapolis and St. Paul in Minnesota.
- They straddle a border, like Texarkana which sits on the Texas-Arkansas state line.
- One city annexes the other or they merge governments, like Dallas and Fort Worth in Texas.
- Similar industries develop in each city, tying their economies together.
How common are twin cities?
Twin cities are relatively common around the world. Some major examples include:
- Minneapolis and St. Paul, Minnesota in the United States
- Dallas and Fort Worth, Texas in the United States
- Islamabad and Rawalpindi in Pakistan
- Buenos Aires and La Plata in Argentina
- Tunis and Carthage in Tunisia
Do all cities have a twin?
No, not all cities have an official twin city. Developing twin city relationships is a choice that cities make based on many factors like geography, politics, and shared interests. Many major cities around the world do not have an official twin.
The Origins of Twin Cities
While some twin cities develop spontaneously over time, others are deliberately planned and built in tandem. Here is a look at some of the different origins of twin cities throughout history:
Organically Developed Twin Cities
Some of the most well-known twin cities emerged organically from their natural geography and regional economies. Minneapolis and St. Paul provide a prime example:
- Minneapolis started as a power milling center along the Mississippi River in the mid-1800s.
- St. Paul formed as an American Indian and fur trading hub near the Minnesota River.
- The two cities grew side-by-side as rail and river transport connected them.
- Minneapolis later became an industrial center, while St. Paul was more political and retail focused.
Both cities benefited from their proximity and connections to each other. This allowed them to cooperatively develop into the twin cities that anchor Minnesota today.
Border Town Twins
Borders, whether state or national, have also given rise to many twins. Two settlements emerging on either side of a border naturally gravitate toward each other. For example:
- Texarkana straddles the Texas-Arkansas border. As railroads crossed the state line, Texarkana, TX and Texarkana, AR grew symbiotically.
- Foz do Iguaçu in Brazil and Puerto Iguazú in Argentina developed into twins with the building of the Iguazu Falls hydroelectric plant and cross-border bridge in the 20th century.
Borders create logical places for trade, transportation and governance to concentrate. Twin city formation often follows.
Planned Twins
In some cases, twin cities are deliberately planned from the start. For example:
- Argentina planned La Plata in 1882 to serve as the capital of Buenos Aires province as well as a port rival to Buenos Aires.
- India purposefully built the twin cities of Islamabad and Rawalpindi in the 1960s to move the capital from Karachi.
- Milton Keynes and Warrington were developed as overspill “new towns” for London in 1967. They grew in tandem just 18 miles apart.
Careful urban planning allows twin cities to be crafted as complements to existing metro areas or power centers.
Famous Examples of Twin Cities
Some of the best known twin cities around the world include:
Minneapolis and Saint Paul, Minnesota, USA
- Minneapolis Population (2020): 429,954
- Saint Paul Population (2020): 311,527
- Distance Apart: 10 miles
These two Minnesota cities grew up side-by-side along the Mississippi River, anchored by mills in Minneapolis and transportation networks running through Saint Paul. Today they make up the economic and cultural heart of Minnesota.
Dallas and Fort Worth, Texas, USA
- Dallas Population (2020): 1,304,379
- Fort Worth Population (2020): 918,915
- Distance Apart: 35 miles
Fort Worth began as a frontier army outpost in 1849, while Dallas developed as a trade center along railroad lines in the 1870s. As they grew together, Dallas-Fort Worth now forms one of the largest metropolitan areas in the U.S. with over 7 million residents.
Islamabad and Rawalpindi, Pakistan
- Islamabad Population (2020): 1,129,198
- Rawalpindi Population (2020): 2,098,231
- Distance Apart: 10 miles
These twin cities were built from scratch in the 1960s to relocate Pakistan’s capital from Karachi. Islamabad was made the country’s political center, while Rawalpindi was developed into a key military hub. They remain deeply connected today.
Tunis and Carthage, Tunisia
- Tunis Population (2020): 2,767,085
- Carthage Population (2020): 21,276
- Distance Apart: 5 miles
The ancient city of Carthage has now been subsumed into the urban area of Tunis, Tunisia’s modern capital. Carthage was founded in the 9th century B.C. and served as the center of a Mediterranean empire before being destroyed by Rome. It was rebuilt by Rome and remains an archeological site that complements Tunis’ more recent growth.
Key Factors in Twin City Formation
There are several key factors that may lead to the development of twin cities:
Geography
Proximity and physical geography play a big role in twinning cities. Neighboring cities will naturally draw on shared infrastructure, resources and transportation links as they grow.
Economy
Shared industries, trade relationships, labor pools and supply chains will interconnect neighboring cities’ economies.
Governance
Shared local and regional governments, policies, regulations and programs unite governance. Annexation or consolidation formalizes ties.
Culture
Common cultural institutions, sports teams, media outlets and social connections bring twin cities closer together.
Demographics
Migration and commuting between two cities will blend their populations and foster further economic integration.
Challenges of Twin Cities
Despite their close relationships, twin cities also face some unique challenges:
Competition
The cities may compete for businesses, sports teams, infrastructure funding, political influence, and economic status.
Inequality
One city often ends up richer, bigger, and more influential than its twin. Shared benefits may be uneven.
Sprawl
As the cities grow towards each other, suburban sprawl and congestion may increase.
Division
Differences in politics, culture, identity or demographics may also divide twin cities over time.
Coordination
Cooperating on regional transportation, planning, economic development and resource usage requires coordination between their separate governments and interests.
Benefits of Twin Cities
Despite the challenges, there are also many potential benefits that come with being twin cities:
Economies of Scale
Shared infrastructure and public services reduce costs for both cities.
Economic Growth
Companies can draw on a larger shared labor pool, resources and consumer base.
Knowledge Sharing
The cities can learn policy and governance best practices from each other.
Creative Competition
Competing for businesses and investment can foster economic growth and cultural dynamism.
Regional Identity
Twin cities form a joint regional identity, brand and gateway that raises their profiles.
Table of Notable Twin Cities Worldwide
| Twin Cities | Country | Distance Apart |
|---|---|---|
| Minneapolis and Saint Paul | United States | 10 miles |
| Dallas and Fort Worth | United States | 35 miles |
| Islamabad and Rawalpindi | Pakistan | 10 miles |
| Tunis and Carthage | Tunisia | 5 miles |
| Buenos Aires and La Plata | Argentina | 31 miles |
| Luanda and Cacuaco | Angola | 10 miles |
| Santiago and Valparaíso | Chile | 75 miles |
| Ankara and Istanbul | Turkey | 272 miles |
| Johannesburg and Ekurhuleni | South Africa | 10 miles |
| Copenhagen and Malmö | Denmark/Sweden | 22 miles |
Conclusion
While not all cities have twin cities, many major metropolises around the world are twinned with a neighboring city. Twin cities emerge from natural growth patterns, purposeful planning, and shared infrastructure. They leverage their complemtary resources and connections to build stronger regional economies. But twin cities also have to balance competition and inequality. Ultimately, twin city relationships reflect both the opportunities and complexities of our globalized and urbanizing world.