The purpose of the World Trade Center (WTC) was primarily to promote international commerce and economic growth, as well as to revitalize Lower Manhattan in New York City. The concept originated in the 1940s as a way to increase New York City's role in global trade and to create a central hub for international business. It was envisioned as a place where companies involved in world trade could operate under one roof, facilitating commerce and economic cooperation worldwide. Additionally, the WTC was part of an urban renewal project intended to stimulate economic activity and development in Lower Manhattan, which had been declining compared to Midtown Manhattan
. The WTC complex, which included the iconic Twin Towers, provided nearly 10 million square feet of office space for tens of thousands of workers, serving as a major center for business and trade
. It symbolized the United States' economic strength and its engagement in global trade networks. The project was developed by the Port Authority of New York and New Jersey with support from influential figures such as David Rockefeller, who sought to rejuvenate Lower Manhattan much like his father had done with Rockefeller Center in Midtown
. In summary, the World Trade Center was designed to be a global trade hub promoting peace through commerce, while also serving as a catalyst for economic revitalization in Lower Manhattan
