Chicago's Growth - Problems And Opportunities

Chicago, which was once a rural farmland, has become The United States third largest city with the population exceeding 8 million.

The reason of course is that Chicago since 1995 has seen a rise in the immigration and ethnic minorities population. The influx of people from different cultural and economic backgrounds has brought tension to the Chicago's neighborhoods as well as stable ethnic enclaves.

The growth in population has lead to other problems. The growth in the transportation sector is very slow compared to the population growth and the employment growth. Four major highway projects dominate the transportation agenda. Chicago and its neighborhoods are in need of urgent transportation changes.

But there's opportunity too. Developers of the industrial parks are keeping a close watch on the progress of highway projects. Because land value close to these highways is expected to go up several times today's prices. Lands which were bought for residential purpose earlier due the highway construction has given way for the development of industrial parks as people won't be keen on staying near an express highway. People who own land along the expressways stand to gain substantial profits.