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The term "world-class" is so subjective. I do think Dapper23 is on to something, though.
Seattle has an extremely visible presence on the world stage, and a lot of that has to do simply with geography. Due to Seattle's proximity to Silicon Valley, the area's IT sector has grown to be world-class and that's beyond argument. Seattle is basically Silicon Valley's farm team and the bouncing of talent between the two cities has only strengthened that bond.
On top of that, Seattle has cultural relevance not only in the United States but also abroad. When the Chinese president came to the US, he visited Washington DC and Bellevue, WA ... just outside of Seattle (he also visited Tacoma). Seattle has also been depicted in Chinese movies like "Finding Mr. Right" (though, that movie was actually shot in Vancouver). Still the movie spurred a lot of tourism for Seattle.
Due to geographic closeness to Vancouver, Silicon Valley, and China, Seattle just shines without even trying.
Calling Seattle Silicon valley's farm team is actually underselling it quite a bit. Seattle has had a strong Tech Presence since long ago. In fact Google, and Facebook has been making a huge push bring thousands of new jobs into this area. Google's new campus in Downtown Seattle is going to have 3000 employees.
^^This is true. But the Houston homers only emphasize the economy and large international population, while ignoring other categories that qualify a city as "world class" which includes:
*Museums
*Art
*Music
*Food
*Retail
*Architecture
*Colleges & Universities
*Public Spaces
*Livability
*Public transit
*Major airline hub
*Attractive to visitors and tourists
*A distinct, local culture
*Urban design that facilitates human social exchange
*Innovation
*A sizable creative class
*High retention rate for transplants
*Nightlife
You'll see constantly on this forum from Houston homers that urbanity, walkability, and attractiveness to tourists doesn't qualify as categories of a world class city. I'm sorry but that's definitely a big part of world class status. Houston can be described as a global city or international city, but the word "class" is the distinction here.
If "world class" means best city then yes, it's very subjective. But the definition of world class being "global city" which it should since we are talking about the world, Houston wins hands down.
I'm in Dallas and would rather visit Seattle than Houston. It's definitely prettier and more walkable. As others have said, Houston excels in a lot of what you mentioned. The question isn't which city is prettier, more likeable, better for tourist or any of that. It's what's more world class.
This is the Gawk study's criteria to determine the classification of world cities which Houston outranks Seattle:::
Although what constitutes a world city is still subject to debate, standard characteristics of world cities are:[8]
A variety of international financial services,[9] notably in finance, insurance, real estate, banking, accountancy, and marketing
Headquarters of several multinational corporations
The existence of financial headquarters, a stock exchange, and major financial institutions
Domination of the trade and economy of a large surrounding area
Major manufacturing centres with port and container facilities
Considerable decision-making power on a daily basis and at a global level
Centres of new ideas and innovation in business, economics, culture, and politics
Centres of media and communications for global networks
Dominance of the national region with great international significance
High percentage of residents employed in the services sector and information sector
High-quality educational institutions, including renowned universities, international student attendance,[10] and research facilities
Multi-functional infrastructure offering some of the best legal, medical, and entertainment facilities in the country
If "world class" means best city then yes, it's very subjective. But the definition of world class being "global city" which it should since we are talking about the world, Houston wins hands down.
A world class city is the combination of a global city and the subjective, "best" city. There's more to it than just economics. Now in Texas, if you combined the best of Houston, Dallas, Austin, San Antonio, and Fort Worth into 1 city, you would have a world class city.
If "world class" means best city then yes, it's very subjective. But the definition of world class being "global city" which it should since we are talking about the world, Houston wins hands down.
I'm in Dallas and would rather visit Seattle than Houston. It's definitely prettier and more walkable. As others have said, Houston excels in a lot of what you mentioned. The question isn't which city is prettier, more likeable, better for tourist or any of that. It's what's more world class.
This is the Gawk study's criteria to determine the classification of world cities which Houston outranks Seattle:::
Although what constitutes a world city is still subject to debate, standard characteristics of world cities are:[8]
A variety of international financial services,[9] notably in finance, insurance, real estate, banking, accountancy, and marketing
Headquarters of several multinational corporations
The existence of financial headquarters, a stock exchange, and major financial institutions
Domination of the trade and economy of a large surrounding area
Major manufacturing centres with port and container facilities
Considerable decision-making power on a daily basis and at a global level
Centres of new ideas and innovation in business, economics, culture, and politics
Centres of media and communications for global networks
Dominance of the national region with great international significance
High percentage of residents employed in the services sector and information sector
High-quality educational institutions, including renowned universities, international student attendance,[10] and research facilities
Multi-functional infrastructure offering some of the best legal, medical, and entertainment facilities in the country
This is the reason why so many US cities aren't on the list. The US is so large that certain cities global importance is diminished. Vancouver is more important to Canada then what Seattle is to the US though Seattle is larger and more economically powerful. If certain areas of the US were to form there own country today, the Global city element would increase significantly.
In the US, thes credentials currently are defined strictly to our Older, Larger, Regional hubs. In the West the is SF and LA, In the Southwest/Texas it's Dallas and Houston. In the Southeast it's Atlanta and Miami, Northeast it's NY, Boston, and DC (Philly is kinda in the same boat as Seattle). In the the Midwest it's Chicago.
Does livability matter? Does sustainability matter? Does air quality matter? Do low income people matter? Do disabled people matter?
___________
*Why should someone have to have a car to get his/her basic needs such as food and exercise? The most basic of needs?
*Why are we spending a disgusting amount of money widening highways when we could be improving our schools, health care, and even BASIC infrastructure repairs such as bridges? At what point will all of this result in a massive fiscal crisis?
*How much vehicular pollution are we going to allow to continue to poison our lungs?
*Why must we punish poor people by making them reliant on a car in order to get to work?
*Why must we punish disabled people with no sidewalks or ADA compliant curbs?
So you tell me if the above is just all fine and dandy for a "WORLD CLASS CITY." Most cities around the world do not look like ours in America. After WWII, American transportation planning threw away hundreds and thousands of years of time tested human urban development. Urban, walkable cities have stood the test of time. In fact, even Houston gets it! There's a lot of dense, urban development taking place in the inner loop.
All your post tells me is that there are practically hundreds of things we could consider to define a world class city, some of them connected, and we have yet to make a decision on which ones matter and which ones do not matter.
I've said it before, you can survive just fine in suburban DFW (Maybe not FW, but I hardly ever go there and never have a reason to) without a car, buying groceries, going to the gym, the library, and even work, depending on your situation. I have reason to believe the same for Houston, since people on CD seem to say Houston has just as good a PT system as DFW, if not better.
The thing is, not everyone wants to live a classically urban lifestyle (i.e. crowded sidewalks, small apartments, etc.) but many people still want the amenities offered by urbanized areas. Some people like the Texas and sunbelt styles of urbanism - it is what it is.
As far as actual world-class amenities and quality of life, Houston punches right with Boston and most people would agree above Seattle. I understand that certain people prefer certain urban forms, but that's not what makes a city world-class. Otherwise Austin would be the most world-class city in Texas, and its obviously not.
Austin is not more urban than Houston or Dallas. It has a more active downtown, which isn't the same as being more urban.
There is no comparison. Being a world class city is more than just numbers and checking off a list. The overall atmosphere and Unique urban qualities of a city should play a roll too. At the end of the day, walkability, sophistication, and having an infrastructure that is aesthetically pleasing are qualities that most world class cities have..both Boston and Seattle have these qualities as well.
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