Philadelphia vs Chicago - Which is more urban? (state, compared, south)

[ThroatGuzzler]

Originally Posted by DeaconJ

Did you ask the question just so you could try to shoot down anyone who disagrees with you?

Both are very urban, but I agree that Chicago wins this one.

If he gives some reasoning to his answer rather than claiming it's simply an "easy" decision I won't shoot him down for it. All these one word answers are irrelevant, that's why I have a poll in the first place. Simply saying "Chicago" doesn't accomplish anything.

[waronxmas]

Ladarron style:

Chicago

[Vermolas]

Philadelphia:






Chicago:











I'll go with Chicago

[Spade]

Originally Posted by AJNEOA

I think that's because of the housing stock. The row houses across thousands of streets makes Philly feel very urban. Chicago seems to have a different type of housing stock (and I'm no expert on Chicago, so correct me if I'm wrong) that leans more to detached housing (with very little space between residences).

Also Chicago makes a huge emphasis on highrises. At least more than Philadelphia and all the buildings are a plus to the street when it comes to interaction along the Lake Michigan coast.

[BigLake]

Philadelphia is certainly one ot the top urban (~top 5 in US) centers and in some areas has a mini-Manhattan feel, but it doesn't compare to the scope of Chicago. Yes, Loop is dense, but really when I think of density in Chicago I think of the broad swath from Old Town to Rogers Park. There are section of the South Side with high-grade density as well.

[spaceboyzero]

Originally Posted by BigLake

Philadelphia is certainly one ot the top urban (~top 5 in US) centers and in some areas has a mini-Manhattan feel, but it doesn't compare to the scope of Chicago. Yes, Loop is dense, but really when I think of density in Chicago I think of the broad swath from Old Town to Rogers Park. There are section of the South Side with high-grade density as well.

This is the broad swath you are referring to (Source: http://www.flickr.com/photos/paytonc/3785616575)

[BajanYankee]

Chicago's most urban neighborhoods are probably more urban than Philadelphia's most urban neighborhoods, but Philadelphia overall has more neighborhoods of high density.

When I was in Chicago a couple of months ago, I rode through a number of places on the South side that looked really desolate. There'd be a building, and then a huge field, and then another building, and then a house, then a gas station. It just seemed very empty. There are abandoned neighborhoods all over Philadelphia, but the fact that everything seems jammed together gives those areas of the city a more urban feel.

Also, I think that Philadelphia's outer neighborhoods are fairly walkable. When you get away from central Chicago, I found that you needed a car for nearly everything. Even in Mt. Airy, you can hike over to G-Town or Chew Ave for a sandwich or some batteries.

[mas23]

i think chicago has more areas with a suburban feel than philly despite having a higher population density

[mas23]

Originally Posted by BajanYankee

Chicago's most urban neighborhoods are probably more urban than Philadelphia's most urban neighborhoods, but Philadelphia overall has more neighborhoods of high density.

When I was in Chicago a couple of months ago, I rode through a number of places on the South side that looked really desolate. There'd be a building, and then a huge field, and then another building, and then a house, then a gas station. It just seemed very empty. There are abandoned neighborhoods all over Philadelphia, but the fact that everything seems jammed together gives those areas of the city a more urban feel.

Also, I think that Philadelphia's outer neighborhoods are fairly walkable. When you get away from central Chicago, I found that you needed a car for nearly everything. Even in Mt. Airy, you can hike over to G-Town or Chew Ave for a sandwich or some batteries.

what streets you were driving on? most of the south side is not like that (i think we've been thru this dicussion before)

[BajanYankee]

This should give you a good idea of each section of the city. Aside from Center City, South, North, and West are the densest areas. The Northwest has a more suburban feel to it, though some parts of Germantown resemble North Philly. The Northeast is a mixed bag, I would say. There are rowhouses, doubles, even some small buildings and single family homes. But I think it's safe to say that most areas are dominated by the rowhouse. I grew up in a double.

I couldn't find good vids of most areas of the city. If someone can, please post them.

West Philly

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Z4NeR1sgBQs

North Philly

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=vbSJQebugD0

Germantown

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=SH941Z_zjIE

Southwest (not endorsing the fighting...just trying to show the flavor of the architecture)


http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=k8xsoWSYLLI&feature=fvw