[casuist]

"I think it's about more than just transportation," he said. "It's about economic development. Cities that I've been in that have a light rail system, you've seen all kinds of businesses pop up around the system itself -- whether it's the young people that are living in that area, whether there's entrepreneurs that come to the area."

This be the field of dreams theory of economic development: If you build it, they will come. It's a species of magical thinking peculiar to our own era, and a convenient rationale for stimulus spending without the benefit of stimulating anything.

[org.whodat]

This be the field of dreams theory of economic development: If you build it, they will come. It's a species of magical thinking peculiar to our own era, and a convenient rationale for stimulus spending without the benefit of stimulating anything.

Also called VooDoo economics!!

[Quality_Not_Quantity]

I would NEVER equate Detroit in its present state to any place with real light rail systems. That being said, light rail DOES provide the basis for economic revitalization and urban renewal - at least in cities that are already healthy and robust.

But, it does take time - years really - and a change in the mindset of entire communities to make this happen. Detroit??? Maybe not...