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00000181-fa79-da89-a38d-fb7f2b600000Region of Boom is a reporting team at KUOW.We are tracking growth in metropolitan Seattle, which is being reshaped by the demands of a fast-growing technology sector led by Amazon. It’s a boom on a grand scale bestowing wealth and opportunity upon some and disruption and displacement upon others. Take a look at where development is happening now and make sure to tell us what is going on in your own neighborhood.Follow the ongoing discussion at #regionofboomThis project is edited by Carol Smith.

Seattle — you complicated, gorgeous, coffee-scented chimera — why do we stay with you?

As of the 2010 Census, 80 percent of U.S. citizens lived in urban areas. Human beings are drawn to cities for work, culture, camaraderie and hipster coffee shops (among other things).

Every city starts somewhere. Some plug along, while others take off with growth most inhabitants never imagined. Seattle has been both types of city, from the home of the last person leaving turning out the lights, to construction-crane magnet.

Like every place, our once sleepy, now burgeoning city has charms and issues. So what keeps us here specifically? A recent gathering of Seattleites addressed that question. The storytellers are Jasmine Allred, Greg LaVielle, Melissa Lee, Bridget Quigg, Jeffrey Robert and Michael Perera.

This “Why We Stayed Here” event took place at Theatre Off Jackson on January 17. KUOW’s Jeannie Yandel produced and hosted the event. Sonya Harris recorded the talks.

Listen to the full version below:

Year started with KUOW: 2006