Quick vote...what is our ugliest city? (Detroit, Grand Rapids: work, live)

[Sociologist]

Okay alot of people say lansing is ugly as well as flint....maybe we have alot of ugly cities that drive people away......

[Sociologist]

Is it me or do lot of the S.E areas of our state (less so in the S.W) just have extremely bad city planning. I can only think of a handful of cities in the state that have truly unique character and charm (in the mid michigian area)

[Cato the Elder]

You're confusing a couple things here - are you talking about city planning or aesthetics? They are not necessarily mutually inclusive and in fact often exclusive of each other if you're talking about "charm." Think of all the charming European cities with little to no planning. Metro Detroit is actually planned quite well thanks to the grid system of streets from the mile roads. Aesthetically, I think it's quite charming in many places. Drive through Cranbrook or Franklin - absolutely beautiful. Walk around downtown Birmingham. Despite its problem with juvenile deliquents, Belle Isle is quite remarkable. How many urban areas have a large Olmstead park? Manhattan, Boston, and a few others. How many dramatically reside on an entire island?

[helpimstuckinflint]

flint is the worst city i cannot wait to get outta here

[Wabbit]

The perennial contenders will always be Benton Harbor, Flint and Saginaw.

[M TYPE X]

Originally Posted by Wabbit

The perennial contenders will always be Benton Harbor, Flint and Saginaw.

Agreed.

Flipside...
The prettiest cities will always be Ann Arbor, Grand Rapids, and Holland.

In the middle lie Lansing, Muskegon, and Port Huron.
I suppose if you live there, you might care about Battle Creek, Jackson, and Kalamazoo and throw them in the middle of the pack.

I won't waste my time on Pontiac. Detroit has its nice aspects, but they are overwhelmingly shadowed by the ugliness.

[Blue Grass Fever]

Melvindale, Ecorse, River Rouge, Lincoln Park, Highland Park, Hamtramick, (sp?) Detroit and Flint!

[Angel Bear]

I spend lots of time in Orange County, CA now, so I probably shouldn't answer this thread! LOL

I myself think it is sad to see the ugliness of our towns and cities, wherever they are in the world. It just shows that more work needs to be done on our parts, etc. I also think beauty is in the eye of the beholder...I think parts of Detroit are beautiful, especially by the riverfront.

[cardwellave]

Melvindale and Lincoln Park are pretty depressing, but pale in comparison to Benton Harbor, Flint, and Sagniaw.

I think Port Huron is very beautiful, even the "rougher" areas have charm.

[carrot]

Originally Posted by Cato the Elder

You're confusing a couple things here - are you talking about city planning or aesthetics? They are not necessarily mutually inclusive and in fact often exclusive of each other if you're talking about "charm." Think of all the charming European cities with little to no planning. Metro Detroit is actually planned quite well thanks to the grid system of streets from the mile roads. Aesthetically, I think it's quite charming in many places. Drive through Cranbrook or Franklin - absolutely beautiful. Walk around downtown Birmingham. Despite its problem with juvenile deliquents, Belle Isle is quite remarkable. How many urban areas have a large Olmstead park? Manhattan, Boston, and a few others. How many dramatically reside on an entire island?

I agree, Detroit has the bones to be a great city... history, culture, waterfront, etc etc.....all the good stuff.