A city shall be chartered as follows:
(1) A single municipal corporation having a population of at least 10,000 according to the last preceding United States census may be incorporated as a city in accordance with this chapter if a majority of the registered voters in the municipal corporation cast an affirmative vote in favor of the referendum question.
(2) Two or more contiguous municipal corporations having a combined population of at least 10,000 according to the last preceding United States census may, under 53 Pa.C.S. Ch. 7 Subch. C (relating to consolidation and merger), incorporate as a city and determine whether the newly incorporated city shall be governed by this part and other general laws applicable to and governing cities.