Please register to participate in our discussions with 2 million other members - it's free and quick! Some forums can only be seen by registered members. After you create your account, you'll be able to customize options and access all our 15,000 new posts/day with fewer ads.
I think its tough to compare a place like Oakland to the KOP corrider - functionally so different. And depending on where you set the goal posts KOP (area) would be bigger or smaller
Good news for PA is we have two thriving and growing science and med job centers in Oakland and UCity
We should probably all be cheerleaders for both cities as they both help the state and in turn help the residents
That's exactly what I'm saying. Honestly they two places are very similar, I live in Oakland, and I've been through UC many times. Although I don't agree with Summers about everything, I think we have two of the greatest secondary business districts in our cities, anywhere in the country. But I also don't like to see someone saying Oakland is stagnant, because clearly, its not.
Answer to your first question ^
You did say the corridor, but if you count the whole county, 800000 people is a lot more than just 300000. Plus the land area is much larger. I'm not here to nit pick, but personally everything I read puts both cities near the top when it comes to jobs. Read this guy
That was in a response to Blackbeauty (as you can tell by the aggravated tone). The Route 202 Corridor is more like a bunch of employment nodes bunched together, and although it is a huge economic/employment center for the Philadelphia metro, I would never consider it a CBD. The third largest CBD in the Philadelphia area would be Atlantic City or Wilmington, DE. But they are both outside of the state of PA so that is a moot point.
Quote:
As for the new construction in Oakland that I see everyday:
The Oakland Portal project looks great! That could be a great project. Looks similar to the plans around 30th Street station. UPenn, Drexel, Amtrak and Brandywine Realty Trust are all working together to redevelop the area. This plan could take a few years as well.
That's exactly what I'm saying. Honestly they two places are very similar, I live in Oakland, and I've been through UC many times. Although I don't agree with Summers about everything, I think we have two of the greatest secondary business districts in our cities, anywhere in the country. But I also don't like to see someone saying Oakland is stagnant, because clearly, its not.
I never said Oakland was stagnant. I even said I'm sure Oakland was growing. It just seems, from my perspective, that UCity is growing faster. It is growing by nearly 30% in jobs a decade and the sheer amount of new construction in UCity is evident that the trend is continuing through to this decade. The projects under construction NOW will create 300 or so jobs which will put UCity literally right behind Oakland. If Cira South gets off the ground that will create another couple hundred jobs. If FMC signs on with Cira South (which it's looking more and more likely), than that will be another 600 jobs in UCity.
I don't know exact job growth rates but I'm willing to bet, with all the new construction in University City and virtually no new construction in Oakland
...
That's what I took from the statement here.
Quote:
Originally Posted by Summersm343
I never said Oakland was stagnant. I even said I'm sure Oakland was growing. It just seems, from my perspective, that UCity is growing faster. It is growing by nearly 30% in jobs a decade and the sheer amount of new construction in UCity is evident that the trend is continuing through to this decade. The projects under construction NOW will create 300 or so jobs which will put UCity literally right behind Oakland. If Cira South gets off the ground that will create another couple hundred jobs. If FMC signs on with Cira South (which it's looking more and more likely), than that will be another 600 jobs in UCity.
All I'm saying is Oakland is growing and expanding too, just like University City is. With two universities in its midst, its very very similar. At the moment I don't have a job growth percentage over the last decade for Oakland, but I'm sure it may not be as high as 30%. But I'd venture to say its quite high; "UPMC has added an average of 2,000 to 2,500 jobs per year over the past few years" -http://triblive.com/business/headlines/4053451-74/upmc-jobs-nuance#axzz2i0YQq8mO (Although the article does say it may have much closer to a net jobs of 0 to 500 this year.)
Assuming 5 years adding 2000 per year, that's 10,000 jobs, which alone would account for 14.3% growth from 70,000 in 2000.
All I'm saying is Oakland is growing and expanding too, just like University City is. With two universities in its midst, its very very similar. At the moment I don't have a job growth percentage over the last decade for Oakland, but I'm sure it may not be as high as 30%. But I'd venture to say its quite high; "UPMC has added an average of 2,000 to 2,500 jobs per year over the past few years" -http://triblive.com/business/headlines/4053451-74/upmc-jobs-nuance#axzz2i0YQq8mO (Although the article does say it may have much closer to a net jobs of 0 to 500 this year.)
Assuming 5 years adding 2000 per year, that's 10,000 jobs, which alone would account for 14.3% growth from 70,000 in 2000.
Well these numbers are 2010 numbers
1. Center City, Philadelphia- 288,227 jobs
2. Downtown, Pittsburgh- 153,224 jobs
3. Oakland, Pittsburgh- 79,896
4. University City, Philadelphia- 79,368
I never said Oakland was stagnant. I even said I'm sure Oakland was growing. It just seems, from my perspective, that UCity is growing faster. It is growing by nearly 30% in jobs a decade and the sheer amount of new construction in UCity is evident that the trend is continuing through to this decade. The projects under construction NOW will create 300 or so jobs which will put UCity literally right behind Oakland. If Cira South gets off the ground that will create another couple hundred jobs. If FMC signs on with Cira South (which it's looking more and more likely), than that will be another 600 jobs in UCity.
Oakland and University City are definitely comparable overall, but there are some differences, IMO, that lean more heavily in University City's favor. Oakland mostly caters to a "state school crowd." University City caters to an "Ivy League crowd." Both have their pluses and minuses. As an undergraduate, the "state school crowd" was more my speed. As a grad student, I appreciate that University City has more to offer in the upscale and sophisticated department. I have no qualms conceding that crime is more of a persistent issue in University City, along with Philadelphia in general.
Right now, University City has a lot more upscale construction projects than Oakland. University City also has more going on for non-college students. Oakland's version of Baltimore Avenue is Craig street, which is nice and all, but has a sub-business district that only stretches two blocks.
The biggest advantage University City has, though, is that it's linked so closely with Center City. Historically, the first couple blocks over the Schuylkill were a bit of a dead zone, but with all the new projects going up, the two are bound to become more closely linked than ever. Oakland is separated from Downtown (which, like most American downtowns, is far more workday-focused than Philly's) by the Bluff, though that part of town does have potential.
Philadelphia and Pittsburgh both offer a lot of the same positive things. Philly tends to have more in most metrics by virtue of its size. The difference is noticeable, but generally not overwhelming.
Quote:
Originally Posted by thunderkat59
I would disagree. Both are cities, thats it, There is no comparing of Philly to NY in any way unless using outlying neighborhoods like the Bronx for the comparison. NYC has gentrified to a level filthy Philly will never, ever be able to touch due to politics, sprawling infrastructure and many other issues. If you like Philly, fine, but it's not realistic to say it match's NYC in most areas that make cities desirable.
Yes, Ive lived and worked in both
To stay on topic, I would gladly move back to Pittsburgh, never again, Philly
Hey there Lion-O, Philly's changed a lot since 1992, *snarf* *snarf*. I don't think Philly will ever be New York either, given that among American cities, New York is inherently in a league of its own. Don't pretend that New York isn't dirty though. Don't get me wrong, the place has a lot of upsides, but cleanliness, even in its nice neighborhoods, isn't one of them.
Interestingly enough, the creator of ThunderCats was a Pittsburgh native.
Quote:
Originally Posted by Summersm343
Well these numbers are 2010 numbers
1. Center City, Philadelphia- 288,227 jobs
2. Downtown, Pittsburgh- 153,224 jobs
3. Oakland, Pittsburgh- 79,896
4. University City, Philadelphia- 79,368
I figured Oakland and University City were pretty much head and head. Philly's job base is more spread out than Pittsburgh's, but that isn't necessarily a terrible, horrible thing. IIRC, corporate/white-collar jobs in the Chicago metro are even more scettered, although it would obviously be nice if Center City continued to augment its business presence (which it's certainly been doing).
Last edited by ElijahAstin; 10-17-2013 at 04:25 PM..
That's fine if you prefer Pittsburgh, but Philadelphia is in no way, shape, or form a suburb of NYC.
Only amongst a few peple on CD does it seem like people like to think this idea. People I know from Philly do not venture to NYC as much as some on here give the impression.
Please register to post and access all features of our very popular forum. It is free and quick. Over $68,000 in prizes has already been given out to active posters on our forum. Additional giveaways are planned.
Detailed information about all U.S. cities, counties, and zip codes on our site: City-data.com.
Please register to participate in our discussions with 2 million other members - it's free and quick! Some forums can only be seen by registered members. After you create your account, you'll be able to customize options and access all our 15,000 new posts/day with fewer ads.
