But as other major corporate centers on the metropolitan area's outer suburban ring have discovered, growth comes in phases.

"With this suburban ring you have the critical mass, and the advertiser can buy the whole ring, one portion, or any combination."

"Now it's a movement away from the suburban ring around the cities, whether it's for quality of life or job growth in the outer region."

The compromise will apply to other border areas, including the suburban ring surrounding Brussels.

The casualties are scattered liberally between downtown Chicago and its western suburban ring.

That was apparent in data for the suburban ring.

Experts note that the new economic growth favors suburban rings rather than the old inner cities themselves.

As the population grew in the suburban ring around New York City during the 1950's and 1960's, school growth followed.

"The dominant economic dynamic in the region took place in the suburban ring," he added.

But there is no doubt that many communities in the suburban ring are bending to rental currents flowing through much of the city.