Joel Kotkin: The Rise Of Second Tier Cities

Readers participate in an online dicussion with publicy policy expert Joel Kotkin about his recent article on the rise of the "second-tier" cities.

1 minute read

September 10, 2003, 8:00 AM PDT

By Abhijeet Chavan @http://twitter.com/legalaidtech


"For the last half-century, if you wanted to be considered cosmopolitan, sophisticated and on the cutting edge, you had to live in New York or a handful of other "global cities" that set the agenda in business, culture, politics and finance. But those days are fading. The Big Apple may still be Capital of the World, but fewer and fewer people want to live there, or in cities like San Francisco, Los Angeles or Chicago...Instead, they're heading to "second-tier" cities like Kansas City and Des Moines, which are enjoying a revival, giving the big boys a run for their money, and enriching the American urban landscape."

Thanks to Abhijeet Chavan

Tuesday, September 9, 2003 in The Washington Post

Young Professional

I love the variety of courses, many practical, and all richly illustrated. They have inspired many ideas that I've applied in practice, and in my own teaching. Mary G., Urban and Environmental Planner

I love the variety of courses, many practical, and all richly illustrated. They have inspired many ideas that I've applied in practice, and in my own teaching.

Mary G., Urban and Environmental Planner

Get top-rated, practical training for planners

"Planetizen federal action tracker" logo superimposed over black and white image of US Capitol dome.

Planetizen Federal Action Tracker

A weekly monitor of how Trump’s orders and actions are impacting planners and planning in America.

September 30, 2026 - Zachary Whalen

The largest wildlife overpass in North America stretching over the I-25. Both sides of the overpass, and the overpass itself, are covered in brown grass.

Record-breaking wildlife overpass in Colorado brings 91% reduction in animal collisions

Prior to the overpass, vehicles were hitting one deer per day on Colorado’s Interstate 25.

September 28, 2026 - CBS Colorado

Seagulls flying over the ocean in Texas.

If Corpus Christi can’t revive desalination plant project, it may owe Texas $235 million

Earlier this month, city officials declined to pursue developing the plant for the second time in a year.

September 25, 2026 - Inside Climate News

An old brick apartment building in NYC.

Mamdani sent nearly 6,000 pied-à-terre tax warnings to homes that didn’t qualify

A judge has ordered the administration to cancel thousands of pied-à-terre tax notices after it sent 35% of them erroneously.

4 seconds ago - The City Reporter

A rendering of the waterfront development, which shows a lit-up stage by the waterfront and people walking about.

Detroit to transform waterfront with $2.2 billion investment

Developers will convert about 18 acres of unused parking lot space into civic spaces.

October 2 - ABC 7

The mayor of Baltimore speaks into a microphone in front of a rally for more state transportation funding from Maryland.

‘Going backwards:’ Baltimore mayor, students rally against state's transit funding plan

Maryland's proposed six-year plan provides no funding for Baltimore’s BMORE bus program and reduces its road maintenance funding.

October 2 - Baltimore Sun

FREE Course: Walkable City 1: Why Walkability?

After describing his path towards focusing on walkability as the essence of good planning, Jeff Speck marches through his five principal reasons for making more walkable places.

Reinventing Malls: Planning Alchemy—Turning Gray Fields Into Gold

The course focuses on the opportunities and imperatives that shape reinvention of mall sites.

Senior Planner

City of Thousand Oaks

Community Development Director

City of Wisconsin Rapids

Professor of Urban Planning

Harvard University Graduate School of Design