What makes American cities better than European cities? What makes European cities better than American cities? (university, gated communities)

[crazyfacedjenkins]

If I may use a quote from the late George Carlin to describe America and American cities.

"Only a nation of unenlightened half-wits could have taken this beautiful place, and turned it into what it is today... A shopping mall! A big ****ing shopping mall!

America, the beautiful! One big transcontinental commercial cesspool!"

[crazyfacedjenkins]

Having been to 100s of American cities and towns I've realized one thing, Americans have no standards. I'm sitting here laughing when people try to say Philly is nice. Have you overlooked the literal miles of ghetto? How its one of the most dangerous cities in the US?! Or that just over the Ben Franklin IS the most dangerous city in the US?!

Besides the miles and miles of ghetto, US cities are just plain boring. Everything revolves around work. That's all people do, work. Ever wonder why there are so many drug addicts all over the streets? These people are just numbing the pain of boredom you workaholics impose on the rest of us.

[Visvaldis]

Americans have long since ignored architectural esthetics for urban areas. The older buildings of the past have been removed and replaced with taller, more modern structures. In some places this works well, such as Chicago's downtown.
Many urban neighborhoods across America are just plain dull, architecturally and culturally. Businesses have departed for lack of customer parking areas. The downtowns have become deserted after office hours.
Most cities require owning a car, otherwise one cannot be very flexible in transportation.
Americans place little value on their immediate environment because they spend more time in front of the TV. So who cares what the town looks like?

[Visvaldis]

Originally Posted by crazyfacedjenkins

Besides the miles and miles of ghetto, US cities are just plain boring. Everything revolves around work. That's all people do, work. Ever wonder why there are so many drug addicts all over the streets? These people are just numbing the pain of boredom you workaholics impose on the rest of us.

I lived many years in Germany.
Yes, Americans have the reputation of working and working, not taking vacations - Time is money!
American lifestyle is based on working and material consumption. Little interest in anything cultural. American cities are built accordingly.

[Cymballine]

Having traveled to eighteen different countries in Europe, I'd say that the primary things that I appreciate (and that are either lacking in American cities or are generally present on a lesser scale) are beautiful architecture that often spans centuries, a real diversity of people, and a cosmopolitan feel. Being a Europhile, I also love the swarm of different languages and cultural traditions!

As far as American cities go, I generally like impressive skylines and skyscrapers. These two things seem to be a bit more prevalent in American cities than those across the pond.

[kitguyy]

Originally Posted by crazyfacedjenkins

"America, the beautiful! One big transcontinental commercial cesspool!"

I like that lol! I think it sums up a lot of the discussions on here. OK guys so who's fault is it then? What do you think?

- the people, who someone pointed out would rather spend time at work or in front of the TV instead of being more outgoing and culturally oriented
- city halls, who lack creativity and would rather build a boring mall instead of something more appealing
- capitalism and commercialism
- architecture and civil engineering schools for not giving us high quality, creative engineers
etc.

My personal opinion is that the root of all problems are the American people. If we change, if we start being less of a workaholics and more outgoing, if we start being less ignorant and more educated, if we start being less media dependent and more open-minded, if we stop spending our money on things that we don't need, etc.. we can change how things work. What do you think?

[Hoarfrost]

It's a start. I personally think that it's because America is very immature as a nation. Many Americans are infatuated with the thought of being the richest, biggest, and baddest. Many of the European nations(Who themselves carved out grander empires than America will ever know) are just kind of "been there, done that, time to enjoy life". Europeans have already had their empires and gone through the process of giving them up and reflecting on it all.

Hopefully, America will grow up as well. But it won't be within our lifetimes. A multilateral world is emerging, and when America loses it's unilateral influence, Americans will look back on it all and wonder just what exactly has been gotten out of it. I think that in the long run, Americans will regret not investing more into the future and themselves.

[PalmBch]

European cities: Less crime, better mass transit, historical architecture
American cities: Modern/post-modern architecture, diverse cultures

[Mr. Joshua]

What the heck have you people been smoking?

[dublinman]

Much of the thinking behind this thread is wrong. I live, and grew up in Dublin and have been all over Europe over the years, and let me tell you- there is more to European living patterns than compact centres because once you leave the central areas of cities like Paris, London, Madrid etc you come across the same pattern of development, e.g. industrial warehouses, low density detached/ semi-detached housing, motorways, shopping centres (e.g. tesco, super-U) as you do in modern America. Maybe not as much as in the US though, but this probably has more to do with the fact that America has such a rapidly increasing population as opposed to older, more stable nations. As for US cities been of interest, I can certainly assert that I have found many American cities and towns colourful and vibrant- but in an American way. Same way, US cities are unique in having building/ architectural components not resident in European building stock types (e.g. Arts& Crafts, Beaux Arts, Art Deco, Federal, Neo-Classical, Southern revival etc etc).

Everything looks greener on the other side- but keep in mind that people from European countries are probably as interested in America and its urban areas, and that the interest is in both directions. There is more to European cities than dense, historical cores. In fact the city of Paris outside of the ringroad is apartment towers, detached housing, motorways etc. Don't just see, or observe the tourist areas in Europe- probably no more than 20% of the national population of those nation's lives within these areas. Anyways are Americans, transplanted Europeans of sorts. So let's be more reasonable during debate!!p.s. the tourist brochures only inform you of the nice areas wherever you go! lol