Seems like in every city I visit, someone utters the words "Live-Work-Play" as their development strategy. I would like to suggest one important addition: "Walk." If a development is not walkable, if people have to drive short distances from one destination to another, then it will miss vibrancy.

And while I'm at it, let me note the trend in many cities, particularly Chicago, to add "Learn" to the formula. With more than 50,000 college students in the city's Loop, two universities last week announced major new expansions. DePaul has just purchased an 18-story historic tower for redevelopment at the Loop's south end. Just north of the Loop, the Chicago School of Professional Psychology plans to lease more than 82,000 square feet at the Merchandise Mart. And south of the Loop, Columbia College is building a 38,000 square foot facility, designed by the amazing Jeanne Gang, to house two soundstages, an animation lab, classrooms and other facilities.

College spokespersons credit good transportation and increased housing for making classrooms explode in downtown. A downtown location makes it easy for working professionals to serve as lecturers and also makes it easy for students to take internships or part-time jobs. "The city of Chicago becomes our classroom," the president of DePaul told the Chicago Tribune.

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