Philadelphia now has the second biggest downtown in the country (York: home, neighborhood)

[gwillyfromphilly]

Originally Posted by FamousBlueRaincoat

The idea of such a thing as Greater Center City has some merits, particularly for real estate interests, or just in terms of speaking about the trend of gentrification.

But in claiming the 2nd largest downtown in America, it is completely bogus (or rather, the boundaries of Tasker to Girard, river to river, are bogus). Particularly since without such wild fabrications, Philadelphia would still be one of the largest downtowns in the country.

Originally Posted by rotodome

Comparing "greater center city" to the Loop in Chicago, or Midtown Manhattan (not even sure what that specifically comprises in this case) in an apples-to-apples way strikes me as flawed in the same way as comparing the populations of loosely defined ever-expanding 'cities' like Houston or Phoenix to Philadelphia (Which of course, as a Philadelphian, I find quite annoying!).
Even classically defined 'non-greater' Center City is not exactly analogous to what means "downtown" in a lot of other cities.
But hey, whatever scores points on the City vs. City forum, right? :-D

Downtown/Center City Philadelphia population: 183,000

Downtown Chicago(Loop, Near North Side, Near South Side): 131,673
Loop-29,283
Near North Side- 80,484
Near South Side- 21,390

Map of the different sections in Chicago.
West Side, Chicago - Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia

[FamousBlueRaincoat]

Originally Posted by gwillyfromphilly

Downtown/Center City Philadelphia population: 183,000

Downtown Chicago(Loop, Near North Side, Near South Side): 131,673
Loop-29,283
Near North Side- 80,484
Near South Side- 21,390

Map of the different sections in Chicago.
West Side, Chicago - Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia

Various ways of counting downtown population often have San Francisco, Philadelphia, and Chicago with very similar downtown populations. I know nothing about San Francisco, so I'll leave that alone.

I also know very little about Chicago, but I have been there a few times. It seems off to me that Chicago, despite having twice the population of Philadelphia and quite a bit more land area, as well as a stronger job base in the Central Business District, and a better rail system, would have a defined downtown that is smaller than the defined downtown of Philadelphia (the neighborhoods you selected are 6.05 Square Miles, and per the CCD "Greater CCD" is 7.7 Sq M)

You notably cut the Near West Side out of a Downtown Chicago definition, whereas the Near West Side contains much of the Central Business District . In fact, one of the the most interesting things about being a visitor in Chicago is how the Chicago River does not divide downtown at all, but seems to run right through the middle of the skyscraper district, like some old European canal dropped into the middle of a huge behemoth of an American city with all of its overbuilt absurdity. Anyway, the Near West side is about another 5 Sq Miles and another 50k+ people, a lot of which is clearly Downtown, and which also gives Chicago a larger Downtown Population.

Although you run into the same problem that you do with Philadelphia, in that much of the Near West side is also clearly not Downtown Chicago, the same way Takser or Girard are clearly not in Center City. But it is perhaps a better metric used to compare Chicago to Philadelphia if one is to start with the premise that Girard or Tasker are part of Center City.

[kyb01]

Originally Posted by pman

Paul levy is losing it. 19th and poplar isn't downtown and philadelphia does tax too much. His point about property not moving is downright silly.

It's Francisville and looked pretty sketchy a few years ago. Now it doesn't.

[BajanYankee]

Originally Posted by mancat100

There's no way anything south of Washington should be included in Center City, greater or otherwise. I hesitate to even include anything south of South. Just because a neighborhood is nice doesn't mean it's downtown. Also anything north of Vine, and most certainly Spring Garden, is suspect. There's a huge area between Broad Street and Northern Liberties that almost feels rustic in parts. How is that downtown? It's not.

A much stronger case can be made for including University City.

All that being said, I do think our core areas are mighty fine, whatever they end up being called.

Agree 100%. I can see the point about University City, but very few people would consider that "Downtown."

[Charlestondata]

I have visited Philadelphia only once, in 1982. I loved it then, and I love the concept of it now. Would someone please create a map with Girard Street, Tasker Street and the rivers as the boundaries so that if my husband can find a social worker position there we'll know where to look? Thanks.

[asiandudeyo]

I have high hope that U city and Center City will soon combine into one huge downtown.

[Charlestondata]

Originally Posted by Columbiadata

I have visited Philadelphia only once, in 1982. I loved it then, and I love the concept of it now. Would someone please create a map with Girard Street, Tasker Street and the rivers as the boundaries so that if my husband can find a social worker position there we'll know where to look? Thanks.

Hmm. I don't mean anything by this, but it seems to me that this list of U.S. cities based on the percentage of household incomes under $25,000 would mean my husband's profession would be in demand in Philly.

These Are the 33 Poorest American Cities

I street-viewed starting with Girard and we won't be looking around there. That route into Center City isn't the best.

[kyb01]

Originally Posted by asiandudeyo

I have high hope that U city and Center City will soon combine into one huge downtown.

It will. But I think the historical borders of CC will continue to be significant because of how it was the original city before 1854 when Phila. county became the city borders we know today.

[TimmyTightWad]

The borders are bogus. I agree with the person who said Spring Garden to South St.

[Flyers Girl]

Originally Posted by rainrock

The Center City boundaries should be redrawn.


Spring Garden to South Street
Delaware River to say 44th street in University City

South of South and North of Spring Garden is low rise residential for the most part.

I generally agree. My first thought when I read the OP was, 'Tasker Street??' That's solidly South Philly in my opinion.

Great news, though! Yay Philly!!