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Would Toronto and Buffalo count as a binational conurbation? The two cities don't sit adjacent across the border from one another and are a distance away from the border, both of them.
I think what happens more in this region is the Toronto area (Greater Golden Horseshoe Area) spills into the Buffalo area near the border and the region at the border is sort of a "grey area" for both cities. That grey area could tilt in either direction, depending on who you ask.
I'm no expert on that region to say definitively but if there is a case to be made for Toronto and Buffalo as a binational conurbation, I'd listen.
Maybe, as there seems to be a lot of weekenders from Buffalo who frequently visit Toronto for ball games, concerts, and ethnic restaurants. Vice versa, Buffalo used to be a big flight hub for Canadians seeking cheaper domestic U.S. flight (not so much now given the CDN depreciation along with the rapid expansion of Toronto's Pearson and Billy Bishop airports).
There are 2 types of cities in this poll........3 accelerating world cities and 1 slowly losing it's stature.
Chicago is not in any way declining in real terms but it is declining in it's influence and stature.
There are somethings Chicago can do little about like the move to the Sunbelt. Washington's climate is not great but it has the never ending growth in government and it's associated industries as a cushion. That said even if Chicago was transplanted to a more temperate climate it would still have a major deterrent to moving there...........it's horrific crime rate. This is, unlike climate, something that is 100% the fault of Chicago itself and Illinois.
As cities, Toronto, SF, and, to a lesser extent Washington, all have good international reputations but Chicago doesn't. I don't think my American friends realize just what a bad reputation Chicago has outside of the US. When people outside the US think of Chicago they think of 2 things......skyscrapers and crime. Chicago violence has become the stuff legends are made of. I don't think many Chicagoans realize what a black-eye it has given the city's reputation. There are a number of factors involved.....gun culture, drugs, urban poverty, horrid inner city schools, and grotesque socio-economic stratification. These things are within the domain of Chicago & Illinois to fix and they have done shockingly little to try to. The old standby of saying "there is nothing we can do" has been proven as a cheap excuse as New York and, to a lesser degree, LA can attest.
Businesses and the highly skilled are very mobile and when they have the choice of where they want to be, a crime ridden city is not at the top of their list. Chicago has many assets to build on.........good transit, a corporate hub, cultural vigor, wonderful shopping and restaurants, excellent universities, and affordable housing. These enviable assets should be drawing in the young and educated by the thousands and keep their current citizens but they are not. You can blame much of that on the city's horrid crime rates and impoverished and disenfranchised urban poor.
Internationally, Chicago has a lousy reputation that is 100% the fault of Chicago itself.
So, the anti-Chicago posters will hijack this thread, too. How surprising. One thread gets closed down, so another becomes fair game for their insecurities. I say, find a hobby.
There are 2 types of cities in this poll........3 accelerating world cities and 1 slowly losing it's stature.
Chicago is not in any way declining in real terms but it is declining in it's influence and stature.
There are somethings Chicago can do little about like the move to the Sunbelt. Washington's climate is not great but it has the never ending growth in government and it's associated industries as a cushion. That said even if Chicago was transplanted to a more temperate climate it would still have a major deterrent to moving there...........it's horrific crime rate. This is, unlike climate, something that is 100% the fault of Chicago itself and Illinois.
As cities, Toronto, SF, and, to a lesser extent Washington, all have good international reputations but Chicago doesn't. I don't think my American friends realize just what a bad reputation Chicago has outside of the US. When people outside the US think of Chicago they think of 2 things......skyscrapers and crime. Chicago violence has become the stuff legends are made of. I don't think many Chicagoans realize what a black-eye it has given the city's reputation. There are a number of factors involved.....gun culture, drugs, urban poverty, horrid inner city schools, and grotesque socio-economic stratification. These things are within the domain of Chicago & Illinois to fix and they have done shockingly little to try to. The old standby of saying "there is nothing we can do" has been proven as a cheap excuse as New York and, to a lesser degree, LA can attest.
Businesses and the highly skilled are very mobile and when they have the choice of where they want to be, a crime ridden city is not at the top of their list. Chicago has many assets to build on.........good transit, a corporate hub, cultural vigor, wonderful shopping and restaurants, excellent universities, and affordable housing. These enviable assets should be drawing in the young and educated by the thousands and keep their current citizens but they are not. You can blame much of that on the city's horrid crime rates and impoverished and disenfranchised urban poor.
Internationally, Chicago has a lousy reputation that is 100% the fault of Chicago itself.
Can we perhaps hold back on the same old "Chicago is in decline" rhetoric. It's been spilling over from thread to thread. I live in Toronto, am now a Torontonian, but even I find it bad taste to keep rehashing the same old. How would Torontonians feel if people keep discussing Toronto's "lack of culture/lack of identity"? Pretty annoying right?
There are 2 types of cities in this poll........3 accelerating world cities and 1 slowly losing it's stature.
Chicago is not in any way declining in real terms but it is declining in it's influence and stature.
There are somethings Chicago can do little about like the move to the Sunbelt. Washington's climate is not great but it has the never ending growth in government and it's associated industries as a cushion. That said even if Chicago was transplanted to a more temperate climate it would still have a major deterrent to moving there...........it's horrific crime rate. This is, unlike climate, something that is 100% the fault of Chicago itself and Illinois.
As cities, Toronto, SF, and, to a lesser extent Washington, all have good international reputations but Chicago doesn't. I don't think my American friends realize just what a bad reputation Chicago has outside of the US. When people outside the US think of Chicago they think of 2 things......skyscrapers and crime. Chicago violence has become the stuff legends are made of. I don't think many Chicagoans realize what a black-eye it has given the city's reputation. There are a number of factors involved.....gun culture, drugs, urban poverty, horrid inner city schools, and grotesque socio-economic stratification. These things are within the domain of Chicago & Illinois to fix and they have done shockingly little to try to. The old standby of saying "there is nothing we can do" has been proven as a cheap excuse as New York and, to a lesser degree, LA can attest.
Businesses and the highly skilled are very mobile and when they have the choice of where they want to be, a crime ridden city is not at the top of their list. Chicago has many assets to build on.........good transit, a corporate hub, cultural vigor, wonderful shopping and restaurants, excellent universities, and affordable housing. These enviable assets should be drawing in the young and educated by the thousands and keep their current citizens but they are not. You can blame much of that on the city's horrid crime rates and impoverished and disenfranchised urban poor.
Internationally, Chicago has a lousy reputation that is 100% the fault of Chicago itself.
IS THIS GOING TO BECOME A CHICAGO VS. TORONTO THREAD? WHERE CHICAGO IS BELITTLED AS DECLINE DECLINING DEAD?
Other US city's are shown here rising over Chicago in " FUTURE Global Outlook". But guess what city DOES NOT IN THIS CHART. --------> Ole' has been CHICAGO.
Alright, I'm going to sleep. When I log back on either tomorrow or whenever in the future, I'll also do one for Washington D.C. and San Francisco too, maybe will do an even better post for both Toronto and Chicago too while I'm at it.
Alright, I'm going to sleep. When I log back on either tomorrow or whenever in the future, I'll also do one for Washington D.C. and San Francisco too, maybe will do an even better post for both Toronto and Chicago too while I'm at it.
I don't think eleven is Chicago, but overall those were some nice picture of both Chicago and Toronto.
I don't think eleven is Chicago, but overall those were some nice picture of both Chicago and Toronto.
You are right. Chicago does no have a Tram or Trolley system with overhead wires and running in the center of streets.
Quote:
Originally Posted by bostonkid123
Can we perhaps hold back on the same old "Chicago is in decline" rhetoric. It's been spilling over from thread to thread. I live in Toronto, am now a Torontonian, but even I find it bad taste to keep rehashing the same old. How would Torontonians feel if people keep discussing Toronto's "lack of culture/lack of identity"? Pretty annoying right?
Vancouver has actually very little pull into the U.S. As soon as you cross into the U.S. from Surrey, you quickly hit farmland. Blaine, Washington is probably the closest parallel to an American suburb of Vancouver. And it only has 5,000 people and is gaining only 80 a year. If Vancouver had a strong pull, a place like Blaine would be booming.
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