Talking about Chicago, this is not exactly a growing prosperous city. Just look at the population numbers. There are less people in Chicago now than in 1930. http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Chicago#Demographics Year Population % 1900 1,698,575 54.4% 1910 2,185,283 28.7% 1920...

Want to see a real fast train (not timelapse)? Japan maglev train breaks world speed record: http://www.bbc.com/news/world-asia-32391020

Toronto Subway LRT map has a long way to go when you compare it to other cities. http://www.slate.com/blogs/the_eye/2014/04/09/designer_jug_cerovic_s_ambitious_quest_to_standardize_the_world_s_subway.html

Toronto Subway LRT map has a long way to go when you compare it to other cities. http://www.slate.com/blogs/the_eye/2014/04/09/designer_jug_cerovic_s_ambitious_quest_to_standardize_the_world_s_subway.html

Here is the Devon Corporation HQ, in the old Pokemon tv series.

"The Devon Corporation headquarters in the popular Pokémon anime franchise bears a striking resemblance to Toronto's city hall." from http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Toronto_City_Hall#In_popular_culture an image here: http://bulbapedia.bulbagarden.net/wiki/Devon_Corporation

Los Angeles new LRT, the Expo Line http://www.buildexpo.org/

There is a subway station in Montreal that has a mouthful name: Longueuil–Université-de-Sherbrooke (#characters=34) It doesn't even fit on some of their regular signs.

"STAIRS LABELLED "STAIRS" WITH AN ICON" I remember a logo sign for stairs in a hospital, it was put up sideways, and people were asking me if this was the way to the swimming pool, or the wave pool.

I agree with all you say, a good design needs uniformity and consistency across the whole system. It's impossible to achieve this if all and everyone improvise their own little sign here and there. The point is not so much to look nice, as it is to be instantly recognizable and informative...

Like the Lionel-Groulx Metro Station in Montreal. Both lines (Green and Orange) cross perpendicularly at Lionel-Groulx on the standard metro map, but they are actually parallel when they cross thanks to major curves on the green line...

I agree, what use is a fast non-stop subway if it doesn't stop anywhere near where you want to go. Even the Yonge line could use some extra infill stations, -- between Eglinton and Lawrence (at Blythwood Rd?) -- between Lawrence and York Mills (at Melrose Ave, Teddington Park Ave?)

I still can't believe a big tower can be built in such a tight place, and so close to the tracks. With the L tower across, it will certainly change the Yonge Esplanade corner!

some light rail example: http://www.friends4expo.org/ltrail.htm

Maybe the city should build such bridges then, cause they are part of the city's infrastructure.

Too bad the two malls are not directly linked!