Wind

Because of my interest in network theory, I am conistently being led to Chicago. What grew as a railroad hub, the city with big shoulders has consistently re-invented itself as a hub. Railroads have been replaced by O'hare international, one of the busiest airports in the world, but far more interesting is the fact that Chicago has positioned itself as a global (think: much bigger than continental) hub for information techonology business.

Re-inventing cities with arts and culture and such has been the M.O. of the post-dot-com world, aided by Richard Florida's bogus claims of "cool" factors in cities. His "Creative Class" musings are aiding-and-abetting the crime of extreme real estate costs. Think what you will about his theories, but I find them shallow.

On the other hand, Chicago has completely circumvented this easy way out by investment in telecommunications infrastructure, positioning itself as both a cultural as well as businss mecca of the new millenieum. So, when other cities, such as Seattle and San Francisco invest heavily in gentrification without business-oriented solutions, they may lose their pizaazz after the trend dies down. Chicago will move forward with a plan which also includes an avante garde green strategy, making it powerful politically, economically, and culturally. Good work King Daley.