Ten Ideas Changing the World

One of the good things about flying is that it allows you to get caught up on reading.  So, as I began my trip to DC yesterday for this week's National League of Cities conference I came upon Time magazine's latest issue.  Titled "Ten Ideas Changing the World Right Now", it seemed intriguing enough especially given two of its ideas, "Recycling the Suburbs" and "Reinstating the Interstate."  As I began in on the suburbs piece I realized this could have been written by the League. "As much as possible, we need to redirect development to existing communities and infrastructure," is only one line from an article that reads like it came straight from the League Prosperity Agenda.  The highway piece talks about how with an already established right-of-way, interstates can become the focal point for a highway/light rail/power grid nexus.  Think its a dream?  Think again -- expansion of Portland, Oregon's light rail system is happening right alongside the road where some stretches are also being equipped with solar panels to power roadside lights.  So it certainly brings a smile when you read of progress on the Woodward corridor light rail line and legislators talking about a mag-lev train along I-96.  Its time to start dreaming again in Michigan.