[api]

That’s not as true as it used to be, but I don’t disagree with the wider point.

[dsomers]

I agree it’s improving from the 90s, but when I go back to the Midwest from Western Europe, the difference is dramatic simply in the number of people downtown in public spaces for cites with the same population.

[api]

That’s an extreme comparison! I bet only a few US cities would approach what you see in Berlin or Paris.

[dsomers]

I’m not talking about Berlin or Paris. I’m taking about small European cities I’m familiar with that have vibrant walkable downtowns. Off the top of my head, Leiden Netherlands, Haarlem Netherlands, Peacara Italy, or Zug Switzerland.