Could a new "Manhattan" be built in America ?

Question

I think Manhattan is a marvel, in that it emphasizes public transportation, and utilizes space so effectively. I also find, that it's unique from all the other major metro areas in utilizing space, discouraging auto use, and in character in general.

Could a new great urban center be built from "scratch" in the United States ? With all the technology available today, what would prohibit this from being done ? Would it have to have a port ? Or could we start from scratch in the Midwest, and given enough space, proper planning, create such a marvel with subway, interstate, and railroad access and make it a great american city ?

Answer 1

Manhattan (and NYC in general) is almost unique. The cost of building the rapid transit system was huge but was forced on the city because of the population density. Driving in NYC is all but impossible. Parking is beyond impossible. NYC has had little choice in the matter. Other cities have fairly decent rapid transit systems too but cannot rival NYC. Chicago has the Loop. SF has BART.

In theory, you could build a city from scratch and plan it properly. Washington, D.C. was a planned city. Oops, bad example. The big problem is that you would have to justify the cost of the rapid transit system by having it used frequently. That means that you would have to give people a reason to move to the planned city. Most of the big cities have ports and are transportation hubs as well. What would convice people to crowd themselves into East Jipip, Nowhere? It's not as if we had oil money to expend on anything we wanted to.

Answer 2

sure, look at dubai city in the uae