© 2026 Western New York Public Broadcasting Association

140 Lower Terrace St.
Buffalo, NY 14202

Toronto Address:
130 Queens Quay E.
Suite 903
Toronto, ON M5A 0P6


Mailing Address:
Horizons Plaza P.O. Box 1263
Buffalo, NY 14240-1263

Buffalo Toronto Public Media | Phone 716-845-7000
BTPM NPR Newsroom | Phone: 716-845-7040
Differing shades of blue wavering throughout the image
Play Live Radio
Next Up:
0:00
0:00
0:00 0:00
Available On Air Stations

UB Study: Region Needs to Settle on One Name

By Mark Scott

Buffalo, NY – A study of regional identity suggests that the Buffalo area may have too many names.

The region is known by such names as Buffalo Niagara, Western New York and the Niagara Frontier.

In a policy brief just released by UB's Regional Institute, Project Director Peter Lombardi said socioeconomic factors rather than geographic boundaries define what people consider as their region. He said some residents in counties east of Buffalo identify more with Rochester.

Lombardi said the use of multiple names to describe the region impedes the ability of having a strong regional brand. He said elected leaders should embrace Buffalo Niagara since it seems to have risen to the top as a local identifier.

Click the "listen" icon above to hear Mark Scott's story now or use your podcasting software to download it to your computer or iPod.