Reportage
Chicago
On the shores of Lake Michigan, Chicago has been a city since 1837. A city of immigration and creativity, it is the second largest industrial center in the United States, and one of the most important financial markets in the world.
Chicagoans and their city
- Some 84% are happy with their city.
- Although 58% have chosen to live (or remain) there, just 51% want to see their children grow up there.
- Chicagoans think their city is beautiful (64%), clean (79%), that others would like to live there (63%) and well maintained (46%).
- And the general atmosphere is good: 76% trust one another. Opinions about their city's future are divided: a third believe things are moving in the right direction, another third in the wrong direction and the final third think that nothing will change.
- The three areas for improvement in their city are safety (64%), finding work (49%) and reducing car traffic (65%), a by-product of their strong attachment to cars (83%).
Chicagoans and the environment
- Some 71% of them think that they will have to change the way they live to preserve the environment.
- 95% think it will not happen without them.
- Reducing and recycling their waste (59%) and using less heat in the winter (41%) are the things they are willing to do.
- Likewise, measures to promote telecommuting (89%) and create bicycle trails (55%) are looked upon favorably.
Chigaco figures
9 : Population (million)
4,816 : Density (inhabitants/sq. km)
606 : Area (sq. km)
42,222 : Per capital GDP ($)
Source : www.factfinder.census.gov
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