It is an honor and a pleasure to transmit herewith the Report of the Virginia Metropolitan Areas Study Commission, in compliance with Chapter 479 of the 1966 Acts of the General Assembly.

The Report summarizes the increasingly critical problems facing Virginia's growing metropolitan areas. It offers a series of recommendations, a Program for Action, through which the State can assume a positive role in encouraging the localities in each metropolitan area to work together on matters involving area-wide resources and needs, in the interest of local government, the metropolitan area, and the Commonwealth.

Much of the State's growth during the past several decades has occurred in its urban areas, a trend that will intensify in the years ahead. The metropolitan area has become the heart of Virginia's industrializing economy. If that economy is to expand as rapidly as possible, and if Virginians are to enjoy maximum opportunities for economic advancement and the most beneficial environment, then positive, constructive steps to deal more effectively with the problems of the metropolitan areas are essential.

Virginia has a unique opportunity. Although the critical problems of its urban areas are urgently in need of solution, these problems have not reached the dimensions of those in other states. There is still the opportunity to develop effective long-range solutions. In the years ahead remedial action will become increasingly difficult.

The Commission wishes to express its deep appreciation to the countless citizens, officials, and organizations who contributed so much to its work.

Respectfully submitted,

T. Marshall Hahn, Jr.
Chairman