From Ground Zero to Muslim Mayor: How New York changed in 25 years since 9/11

Twenty-five years after the September 11 attacks, Lower Manhattan has transformed dramatically. Office workers rush to the subway and tourists gather near the Twin Towers' footprints. New buildings have filled the skyline, and for younger New Yorkers, the security measures and surveillance have always been a part of their lives. However, those who lived through the tragedy rarely recall the new towers; instead, they remember the fear, the sounds of approaching airplanes, and the city's initial sense of unity and suspicion.

Alexia Crawford, a life-coaching company founder, notes that 9/11 changed the sense of freedom in the city, making people more conscious of their safety. She also remembers the outpouring of help from New Yorkers during the aftermath, which showcased the city's resilience. However, the following years saw increased distrust and division within the nation.

Sara Bitar, a Lebanese American born a month before the attacks, has come of age with the city's history post-9/11. She speaks of the city's resilience, comparing it to that of Beirut. For those who were there, memories are deeply personal. Dulcie Leimbach, who lived near the World Trade Center, recalls the anxiety and sadness that still resurface during commemorations.

Jonathan Wachtel, a television producer, remembers the darkness and silence of the moment when the first tower collapsed, feeling a sense of urgency to find shelter and air.

The physical landscape of Manhattan has been rebuilt with billions of dollars in investment, leading to new office towers, apartments, transport links, and cultural institutions. The 9/11 Memorial and Museum now attract millions of visitors. While the city's visible changes are evident, the rebuilding process has also become mired in bureaucracy, taking longer than expected.

In terms of politics, Zohran Mamdani became the city's first Muslim mayor in January, a milestone that would have been unimaginable immediately after the attacks. This reflects the city's evolution and how much New York has changed over the past 25 years. For Wachtel, the distance between then and now feels much shorter, as a low-flying plane can still transport him back to that tragic morning.