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]There are intangibles that older cities like Philadelphia have , like character and a strong feeling of identity , that only that city has developed over a long period . Boston and Philadelphia have generations of family history going back to the 1600 hundreds . I don't feel that in most cities outside of the north east .
Based on population profiles going out from the center, at every equal measurement, Philly is significantly more populated. If Phoenix passes Philly, it will only be because of much larger city boundaries.
Examples:
1 from the center total population.
Philly: 235,529
Phoenix: 43,565
5 miles from the center.
Philly: 1,144,411
Phoenix: 471,933
10 miles from the center.
Philly: 2,339,589
Phoenix: 1,330,988
I actually live out here in Phoenix. Planners are developing both urban and suburban styles of development throughout the metro. In Tempe and on Central Ave, you're seeing much more urban development. Light rail is being expanded to more areas. More outlying areas like Scottsdale are seeing a more suburban style. And both are good. There are people who want cars and people who want buses. People who like density and people who want space. And we should cater to both. Unfortunately, C-D only believes that urbanity is good, meaning that Phoenix can never be a "great" city like Philly. When I see people say things like "lack of vision" about Phoenix or any sunbelt city, then I know they haven't been there. The elitist idea that a city that doesn't emulate New York, SF, Philly, or Boston is inferior needs to go. Everyone doesn't want urbanity and everyone doesn't want suburbs. There needs to be a middle ground for both parties to be satisfied. There is no leg up for either Phoenix or Philly. People have their preferences and they are moving in high numbers to get what they want in Phoenix and Philly. Neither is better than the other. End of story.
I agree with this. My only issue is that if people want sprawling suburbs with lush lawns, maybe they shouldn't move to a desert where water is scarce.
I agree with this. My only issue is that if people want sprawling suburbs with lush lawns, maybe they shouldn't move to a desert where water is scarce.
How is Phoenix METRO any more sprawling than any other metro that sprawls in the country? I can think of quite a few metros that sprawl more than Phoenix. Furthermore, I see more yards with desert landscaping and xeriscaping than lush lawns. Also, the main demand for water in Arizona comes from agricultural use (about 70 percent).
How is Phoenix METRO any more sprawling than any other metro that sprawls in the country? I can think of quite a few metros that sprawl more than Phoenix. Furthermore, I see more yards with desert landscaping and xeriscaping than lush lawns. Also, the main demand for water in Arizona comes from agricultural use (about 70 percent).
Personally, I cannot stand threads like this (and the ones that came before it) because they tend bring out nastiness on both sides and I do not understand the need to bash other cities and throw out faulty assumptions about the other over, and over, and over again in countless threads. I cannot speak for Philadephians; however, I never hear other Phoenicians (outside of a few here on CD) boast about Phoenix surpassing Philadelphia in city population and I seriously doubt it's even on their minds. I also wish that the posters who do not live in the Phoenix area would stop acting as though they know more about the area, it's people, it's density, water issues, politics, nightlife, culture, etc. than the residents who actually live here. We know some of you hate the Phoenix area and would never want to live here, but do you really need to express this everytime Phoenix is brought up in a thread? Why can't people just agree that these metros are different from each other? Furthermore, what is the harm in that? Not every city needs to be a template for the next.
Exactly. Especially cities whose names have no business in this thread.
I actually live out here in Phoenix. Planners are developing both urban and suburban styles of development throughout the metro. In Tempe and on Central Ave, you're seeing much more urban development. Light rail is being expanded to more areas. More outlying areas like Scottsdale are seeing a more suburban style. And both are good. There are people who want cars and people who want buses. People who like density and people who want space. And we should cater to both. Unfortunately, C-D only believes that urbanity is good, meaning that Phoenix can never be a "great" city like Philly. When I see people say things like "lack of vision" about Phoenix or any sunbelt city, then I know they haven't been there. The elitist idea that a city that doesn't emulate New York, SF, Philly, or Boston is inferior needs to go. Everyone doesn't want urbanity and everyone doesn't want suburbs. There needs to be a middle ground for both parties to be satisfied. There is no leg up for either Phoenix or Philly. People have their preferences and they are moving in high numbers to get what they want in Phoenix and Philly. Neither is better than the other. End of story.
This is a good post. I know people here in Phoenix that would love to move to some place like Philly or NYC or Chicago, but the big trend is people moving from said cities to Phoenix. People have their preferences, and there's really no comparing Phoenix to Philly, its apples to oranges. Both cities have their good aspects and bad. All cities in the world can lay claim to this, too.
Phoenix will surpass Philly but it's no big deal. Philadelphia's rebirth has taken hold and the city is being transformed. It's going to be great...but just with fewer people than sunny Phoenix.
if the drought keeps up, ppl will be dropping phoenix by the carload.
philly ftw
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