Paris Wants To Woo The 'Creative Class'

"If Paris Mayor Bertrand Delanoe has his way, free wireless Internet will soon be on offer in public places throughout the city...Delanoe is betting that 'le Wi-Fi' (pronounced 'wee-fee' here) is one of many changes in Paris that will attract creative spirits as well as legions of young people who might otherwise flee the tradition-bound city for places closer to the cutting edge.

Delanoe, 56, a socialist with strong views about how to make Paris competitive in the 21st century, has been reshaping the city's image since he was elected in 2001. He wants to make Paris greener, more high tech, less uptight...Previous mayors and the national government, he said, had 'museumified' the city.

His goal is both to attract young people, some of whom in recent years have chosen to move to London for employment opportunities, and to attract new business, which increasingly looks to Eastern Europe or the Far East when opening offices.

'We can't leave Asian cities like Seoul or Tokyo, or American cities like San Francisco or Philadelphia, to make the running' -- that is, to dominate -- 'in digital matters,' said Delanoe this year when he announced plans to create 400 free wireless hot spots."