Moca said:
Just to clarify Los Angeles, CA is the United States second largest city.
I am sure Leonel meant trying to make Santo Domingo into a little New York was a vision of making the capital a better place. On my first trip to the DR in September of 1996 I recall the buzz that Leonel had done more to change the country in a month than what had ocurred in the the previous 20 years.
Cities in general have their share of excesses and one could not reasonably expect SDQ to be an exception.
Moca, youre absolutely correct. I lived in LA at that time (the 1990 Census) when it replaced Chicago as the second largest city. I simply forgot that.
There are many visions to be made and shared. As a City Planner of more years than I would like to admit, I am bothered most when political officials promote an idea that is totally unachievable, unrealistic, lack real vision. I think we all know this. However, how would you measure the success and failure of such a lofty goal? In planning circles there is such a thing called "peer groups." Which are like items. Transit systems, communities, school/water districts, etc. of similar size and nature. Comparisons are made and goals reached. The city grows and develops appropriately.
Why stop at NYC? Why don't Sto Dom become more like Paris, London, or the most-adored Barcelona?
As I said in an earlier post and alluded to the original notion that such a comment would come from a Harvard grad.
Nevermine.
TEHAMA