Joel Kotkin: Ephemeral Cities

"The rage among some officials to promote their cities as hip and cool misses the essential elements that make cities great. A city is not merely a construct of real estate projects built for essentially nomadic populations; it requires an engaged and committed citizenry with a long-term financial and familial stake in the metropolis.

A successful city must be a home not only to edgy clubs, museums and restaurants but also factories, schools, companies and neighborhoods capable of regenerating themselves for the next generation."

Thanks to Karen Speicher