ABSTRACT

The great transformations in the factors driving contemporary urban success in America were already well in place before 2001. In September of that year, of course, a large portion of downtown Manhattan, home to some of the city’s most creative workers and innovative firms, was destroyed by terrorists. While much of the debate swirling around how to rebuild what was there has focused on architecture and memorials, not as much has been said about what type of place the district will become. Will it simply be a newer version of what preceded it-a financial district that shuts down after business hours and continues to see many of its businesses slowly migrate to midtown and New Jersey? Or can it be something different, a place that harnesses the creative energies fueling contemporary urban innovation?