If America’s growing Sun Belt cities are looking for a model to emulate to achieve standards of prosperity, sustainability and affordability, they should look to Chicago.

Chicago may seem an odd choice to many, especially those who are mostly looking at the global economy-fueled growth of, say, New York, San Francisco or Seattle. And indeed, Chicago’s historical culture of political corruption, its history of racism and segregation, and its current high rates of violent crime are troubling and real obstacles to this view. But somehow, despite these challenges, Chicago has still been able to be a top site for major corporate relocations and expansions, position itself as a leader in downtown construction and redevelopment, and host a housing market that remains eminently affordable relative to America’s superstar cities. And it’s done so while having many of the urban amenities that make today’s top cities attractive: It’s walkable, has strong public transit, and offers a wealth of commercial, elite educational and cultural opportunities.

How has Chicago been able to do this? The city and region continue to benefit from significant public investments made between 1870 and 1930 during its high-growth era. For a time in the late 19th century, there was a battle between Chicago and New York City over which would reign supreme in the emerging industrial world. In its push to compete, Chicago made many critical investments that established the foundation of the region we know today. It early on committed to a street grid system that made for the easy subdivision and sale of land. The city’s emergence as a rail center provided opportunities for the development of railroad suburbs, while the city’s rapid expansion of public transit allowed for the development of transit-focused communities. Chicago committed itself to an extensive and connected park and boulevard system in its interior and an open lakefront to serve as a recreational resource and protect its water supply. 

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