As Melissa leaves for vacation, I am just coming back from Chicago. In addition to having a much later curfew for business, and the best Greek food outside of Greece, the city is spotless. Not a bag or can could be found on the streets, trash cans appeared maintained, and only tour boats floated by on the river. The cleanliness is clearly the result of something greater than a well-orchestrated city effort. I commented while at dinner to our waitress, who explained, "that's how it is here, it's a responsible city."
That attitude of responsibility isn't exclusive to Downtown Chi-town, as a few neighborhood visits affirmed the mindset. I actually had difficulty finding trash. Citizens understand the importance of a litter-free city, and we need to do the same. Responsibility isn't found in a city budget, and with self-motivation (and perhaps a little Greek cuisine) Philadelphians can take after our sister-city in the Midwest.
Comments (5)
Philadelphia has a lot to learn from Chicago. I am an Illinoisan and have been visiting Chicago for the past 30 years. Chicago hasn't always been as clean and attractive as it is now. It has gradually gotten better. I know that RM Daly has done a great deal to make Chicago better. A clear sign that a strong-willed politician can do a lot to improve the City. One thing that Daly hasn't done is to pander to the nanny state. He made it attractive for businesses and the middle and upper income classes to live and play there. Philadelphia (and its politicians) have to recognize that making Philadelphia similarly attractive is crucial for its stainability.
Kurt
Posted by Anonymous | August 1, 2007 9:22 AM
Posted on August 1, 2007 09:22
I went to Chicago last year and was blown away by how clean the city and how nice everyone was to each other. Philly has a lot to learn from Chicago. I walked around at 2:00 am leaving bars and whatnot and I felt safe. I have never felt safe walking the streets of Philly no matter what time of day it is.
Anonymous
Posted by Cuso | August 2, 2007 3:07 PM
Posted on August 2, 2007 15:07
I was in Chicago a couple of times about 30 years ago, not long after Richard Daly died. The city was quite clean then. Totally impressed. A co-worker has friends there whom they visit once or twice a year and she says it is still a clean city. Wonder why we can't do that here.
Mike
Posted by mike l | August 2, 2007 10:16 PM
Posted on August 2, 2007 22:16
I currently attend grad school in Chicago and am moving to Philly for work after school. One of the things that is making the transition less exciting is how dirty Philly is compared to Chicago and how unkempt the public parks are. Chicago is just awesome all around, and Philly will never have the beauty of Lake Michigan, but some civic pride in less litter and better upkeep of public spaces would help things. I was surprised that even the poor areas of Chicago with rows of abandoned homes were cleaner than any of the slums I've been in on the east coast.
Candace
Posted by Candace | August 3, 2007 12:15 PM
Posted on August 3, 2007 12:15
I am not surprised that Chicago is cleaner than Philadelphia. It is one of the things that stood out glaringly when we moved here. I just cant get over how much litter there is here.
Janet
Posted by Janet | August 22, 2007 6:41 PM
Posted on August 22, 2007 18:41