What if you got what you asked for? That happened when architecture and planning leaped to the forefront of media attention late last year. In a single, widely publicized unveiling at the Winter Garden of Manhattan’s World Financial Center on December 18, 2002, seven teams presented nine schemes for the redevelopment of the former World Trade Center site, an intellectual exercise capturing headlines and air time around the globe. What did we get?

Regardless of the turn of events, the value of the architects’ contributions cannot be overstated. Thanks to their commitment, suddenly we all had a ray of hope for a situation that has been hotly debated, politically compromised, and heading rapidly toward the dustbin of mediocrity. The city and the nation deserved better than business as usual. Finally, we have had a glimpse of a positive direction, though significant work lies ahead.