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And are you really trying to say that because a CSA is of 18 million that everyone should somehow converge to downtown? LOL
Ive noticed us East Coast residents have a different perspective on how a downtown is supposed to be in comparison to a West Coast resident. We believe a downtown should be the center of focus for a city, while West Coast and Southerns believe a downtown is where some activity should take place while other parts of the city have more activity than downtown/center city.
Ive noticed us East Coast residents have a different perspective on how a downtown is supposed to be in comparison to a West Coast resident. We believe a downtown should be the center of focus for a city, while West Coast and Southerns believe a downtown is where some activity should take place while other parts of the city have more activity than downtown/center city.
Say that to your neighbors to the south DC, plus DTLA is very active and can go toe to toe with just about any other DT save a few on top of the metro already having several other active areas
Ive noticed us East Coast residents have a different perspective on how a downtown is supposed to be in comparison to a West Coast resident. We believe a downtown should be the center of focus for a city, while West Coast and Southerns believe a downtown is where some activity should take place while other parts of the city have more activity than downtown/center city.
I'd say that 95% of the world's population believes that a downtown/center city should be the focus of activity for a city.
Ive noticed us East Coast residents have a different perspective on how a downtown is supposed to be in comparison to a West Coast resident. We believe a downtown should be the center of focus for a city, while West Coast and Southerns believe a downtown is where some activity should take place while other parts of the city have more activity than downtown/center city.
I would re-frame to Sun-belt cities, as opposed to West Coast. San Francisco, Portland, Seattle, and Vancouver all have downtowns that are the center of focus.
What cities would you say are fairly dense by American standards yet lack pedestrian activity and why? My vote goes to Miami, Phoenix, and Minneapolis but would like to know what are they lacking for this to turn around?
Having lived in Phoenix for many years, I can tell you that when it's 113 in the shade, you want to be in your car.
What cities would you say are fairly dense by American standards yet lack pedestrian activity and why? My vote goes to Miami, Phoenix, and Minneapolis but would like to know what are they lacking for this to turn around?
I have to agree on Miami. At 12k/sq mile it is one of the densest cities in the country - more dense (amazingly) than DC and Philly - yet it doesn't feel that way. You hardly see any people on the streets. Nor does it have the kind of structural density (outside of downtown and Brickell) that one would expect from a city with such high population density. It's quite bizarre.
Downtown LA compares well with every single downtown in America save NYC, Chicago, or San Francisco. I put it as the fourth best downtown.
I'll agree with you that it's a great downtown, and much better in reality than by reputation. But 4th, it isn't. Boston, Philadelphia, DC, possibly Atlanta are all better than downtown LA.
I have to agree on Miami. At 12k/sq mile it is one of the densest cities in the country - more dense (amazingly) than DC and Philly - yet it doesn't feel that way. You hardly see any people on the streets. Nor does it have the kind of structural density (outside of downtown and Brickell) that one would expect from a city with such high population density. It's quite bizarre.
Without looking at a Census map (and basing this on experience in the city), I'd guess that's because Miami has a relatively even population distribution. It doesn't have particularly high or particularly low density neighborhoods. It's pretty much a medium range of density throughout most of the city.
I also don't think there's as strong a nexus between population density and walkability as some people suggest. Charleston and Annapolis are both low density cities but yet enjoy a more vibrant pedestrian life than much larger and denser cities.
I have to agree on Miami. At 12k/sq mile it is one of the densest cities in the country - more dense (amazingly) than DC and Philly - yet it doesn't feel that way. You hardly see any people on the streets. Nor does it have the kind of structural density (outside of downtown and Brickell) that one would expect from a city with such high population density. It's quite bizarre.
agree on Miami as dense in terms of ppsm but I think it is difficult to compare to to a Philly or DC in this regard. The developed areas are different (i.e you dont drive to a garage or valet in either those two in general. Plus to say Miami is more dense than a place like Philly is a little silly as well. In the core 36 sq miles Philly is likely 3 or 4 times the density of Miami. Philly is more dense than SF as an example when reduced to a core sq mileage of SF and DC is similar in this regard but on your original point of not feeling this way well agree but because in its core it really isnt more dense, and not even close really and coupled with the functional set up the feel is even more reduced...
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