Police in Chicago estimated 400, 000 people marched through the downtown business district.

NPR: Impact Varies on 'A Day Without Immigrants'

The downtown business district and Coal Harbour are popular for condo dwellers who want killer views across the water, and the Olympics gave construction a boost along Southeast False Creek, the body of water that separates the West End from the West Side.

BBC: Living in: Vancouver

Gerry Widdicombe, the downtown business-improvement district's economic-development director, predicts that given current trends, the downtown and surrounding area will be built out in 12 to 15 years.

WSJ: Is It Time for D.C. to Grow Up?

Surrey, a municipality south of the city - whose mayor was rated one of the best in the world - is becoming the second central business district for the metro Vancouver area and is linked by SkyTrain to downtown.

BBC: Living in: Vancouver