Culture as Oxygen

Guess where the most satisfied people in all the world’s major cities live? 

Would you believe Midwest, USA?

Chicago, to be specific.

It turns out that, according to the world survey of 14 major cities commissioned by Veolia Environnement,  Chicagoans are not only the most satisfied people in the world.  They are also confident, optimistic about the city’s future, and deeply proud of their city.

There are likely many reasons for their feelings.  Obviously, leadership matters, and Mayor Richard Daley has done an enviable job of working simultaneously on the big deals and small wonders.  Chicago also, as Mayor Daley admits, has been the beneficiary of "The Big Sort” that is taking place in the Midwest as described by Bill Bishop in his recent book.

But I think there is something else happening that generally goes unrecognized and undervalued, and that is the way Chicago treats art, culture and special events.  The city of big shoulders that was once hog butcher to the world approaches culture with a European outlook.  It is free, and it is everywhere.  It is easy to stumble onto.  One does not have to search for it.

Culture is treated not as a “frill” but as oxygen – quite necessary to life itself.

Culture (defined in the broadest terms) and sport become ways to be in the company of strangers, which is essential to offsetting the isolation and anonymity that sometimes accompanies city life, especially for newcomers.  They are also paths to belonging to something bigger than oneself.

Smart urban leaders will make cultural investments, even in tough times.  In fact, that may be when we need them most.

  

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