Detroit could learn a lot from Pittsburgh's rebirth

[w¡n9Nµ7 §£@¥€r 123]

Pittsburgh's story is inspiring and impressive. It was a rusting steel-making behemoth that, through struggle, pain and creativity, retooled itself as a surprisingly vibrant, 21st-century leader in education, computer science, medical research, sports entertainment and boutique manufacturing.

By most measures—unemployment and foreclosure rates, to name two—Pittsburgh is an island of calm in the raging recession.

...

What worked in Pittsburgh won't work for the auto industry, and what the president wants to do for Detroit isn't the kind of thing that worked in my old hometown. Pittsburgh's rebirth is about the grit, sacrifice and hustle of locals—not the sweeping plans and power of federal bureaucrats.

...

In its first heyday, Pittsburgh produced as much or more steel than the rest of the world combined.

...

When the industry faltered—hit by cheap imports, lax management, labor strife and declining domestic demand—steel's leaders sought and won years of tariff and quota protection.

...

But ultimately ... the locals realized that the old steel industry was a lost cause, and they moved on.

A way of making a living ended, but not a way of life. The old determination found a new focus, which wasn't anymore a lifetime job in the mill, but a college education—and more education.

And that, above all, has been the key to the city's survival: pride in and commitment to local education.

...

The same is true with higher education. Pittsburgh is one of only a handful of cities with two institutions—Carnegie Mellon and the University of Pittsburgh—in the 62-member Association of American Universities, a prestigious alliance of the nation's leading research schools.

...

Believe it or not, Pittsburgh today is a college town, with one of the highest ratios of students to full-time residents in the nation.

At the center of the university complex (there are dozens of other universities and colleges in the area) is health care; and again, its creation was the result of local initiative. Affiliated with Pitt, UPMC has become one of the nation's largest, most advanced (and entrepreneurial) hospital and health-care providers.

...

The key to all of this is civic pride and lots of time ... Pittsburgh has half the population it once did.

...

But the point is that this is largely a local story, not a national one. The lesson for the auto business and the auto-producing regions is not the one that President Obama wants them to hear. It is that the old world will inevitably disappear, and that creating a new one is up to you, not someone else.

http://www.newsweek.com/id/200991/page/1

[Heracles 417]

Pittsburgh reborn?

[Heracles 417]

Pittsburgh has a lot of potential. That city would be so expensive if it was located in Aus. The city needs more than a freagin sports team. Of course over there the city would have been modernized and built up. Rather than left to crumble but God forbid something happens to the freagin stadium.

I guess that is the difference in attitude. While they love their sport too over there, they also have a bit of healthy competition with regards to making their city the better city. One of many reasons why the cities are so well maintained and constantly being improved and built up.

With regards to Detroit, you couldn't pay me 1 million a year to live there. I would rather live in Baghdad actually. Probably safer too.

Edited June 9, 2009 by Constellation

[w¡n9Nµ7 §£@¥€r 123]

How about $10 million every week, your own fleet of armored vehicles, your own private security force and a home locked down tighter than a supermax prison.

[Heracles 417]

How about $10 million every week, your own fleet of armored vehicles, your own private security force and a home locked down tighter than a supermax prison.

It's funny how you guys joke because you think you're smarter than everyone but really you just a bunch of you know what.

As I said in another thread, the joke is on you guys.

Edited June 9, 2009 by Constellation

[MrsCat 6]

Donate Detroit to Canada. We could use another strong hockey team.

[scandal 951]

Southwestern suburbs of Windsor?

[MrsCat 6]

Southwestern suburbs of Windsor?

precisely!

Only city in the world that can make Detroit look like a gem.

[scandal 951]

Southwestern suburbs of Windsor?

precisely!

Only city in the world that can make Detroit look like a gem.

[Heracles 417]

Southwestern suburbs of Windsor?

precisely!

Only city in the world that can make Detroit look like a gem.

Sounds like filth is contagious and has spread.

[scandal 951]

Southwestern suburbs of Windsor?

precisely!

Only city in the world that can make Detroit look like a gem.

Sounds like filth is contagious and has spread.

The only filth here is what you're spewing

[Heracles 417]

The only filth here is what you're spewing

Do you have an academic journal for that? :

Stick to telling yourself that Chicago is awesome, with that mile strip an all. It's just amazing

PS I enjoyed the dweeb comment the other day. I was suspended so I couldn't respond. Considering coming from you that is probably the funniest thing I have heard all year. I'm not the one with..... lets leave it at that shall we.

Edited June 9, 2009 by Constellation

[scandal 951]

The only filth here is what you're spewing

Do you have an academic journal for that? :

Stick to telling yourself that Chicago is awesome, with that mile strip an all. It's just amazing

PS I enjoyed the dweeb comment the other day. I was suspended so I couldn't respond. Considering coming from you that is probably the funniest thing I have heard all year. I'm not the one with..... lets leave it at that shall we.

dweeb.

[Heracles 417]

dweeb.

Don't make me laugh.

[Saddle Bronc 124]

SouthNorthwestern suburbs of Windsor?

fixxored Edited June 9, 2009 by CherryXS