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Old 08-07-2012, 12:13 PM
 
2 posts, read 63,485 times
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(I first made this topic in City vs. City, but it was locked as it was in the wrong section, so I'll start again)

This is quite an age old debate, and some people say that it's impossible to discuss as both countries' cities are nothing like each other. However, it is possible to draw parallels respectively between a few cities from the UK and the US. I have compiled a few examples based on several factors: Influence on the country, regional status, relationships with certain other cities and sociology regarding locals. So here we go...

New York = London: Obvious comparison out of the way. Both massive world cities, and often when people think of America, New York is often the first place that springs to mind, likewise with London and the UK. Both are hugely iconic with landmarks that are instantly recognisable, and a big melting pot of culture.

Chicago = Birmingham: The "second city". Both have a history in industry, and therefore have strong working class heritage. However, both kind of get disregarded compared to certain other cities in their respective countries, but despite this, they're both of great importance.

Los Angeles = Manchester: Two sprawling messes comprised of several smaller cities, towns, boroughs and suburbs. Huge media presence, through sports, film and music. Despite the "glamorous" image both have attained, they also have their share of gang problems.

Houston = Glasgow: This is more to do with drawing a comparison between Texas and Scotland. Both might host the most famous accent of their countries, both are separatist minded, both wave their own flags, and both like their whiskey! So the biggest city in Texas is equivalent to Scotland's biggest city.

Boston = Liverpool: Big naval cities with locals that tend to be descended from the Irish diaspora, leaving a huge celtic influence, and are huge on their sports. Speaking of which, the NBA rivalry between the Celtics and the LA Lakers is similar to Liverpool vs. Manchester United.

San Francisco = Leeds: Everywhere you go, you're walking uphill! These are two cities that have acquired a reputation for being quite big on their arts, and both are full of liberal voters. SF's fight with LA for supremacy over California is similar to Leeds and Manchester's battle for reign over Northern England.

Dallas = Edinburgh: Going back to the Texas/Scotland comparison, these two are counterparts simply because they are both the second largest cities in Texas/Scotland.

Philadelphia = Sheffield: Although Pittsburgh, PA is twinned with Sheffield because of them both being steel cities, you could make the same comparison between Sheffield and Philadelphia.

Detroit = Nottingham: Both have strong roots in the working class heritage, and reputations that have been slightly tarnished by gang problems, and gun culture in particular.

Miami = Bristol: Situated on the coast, these two cities are arguably the two biggest cities that are furthest south in their countries. So, closer to the equator, and therefore better weather!

Seattle = Newcastle: Tucked away in far North corners of their respective countries, both had a strong presence in the 90s, with Grunge and Newcastle United.

New Orleans = Brighton: New Orleans and Brighton are both situated on the South coast, and are known for being big party towns!

Atlanta = Cardiff: Similar to Glasgow, Edinburgh, Houston and Dallas, the locals have distinctive accents. Plus Turner Field in Atlanta is a huge, state of the art stadium, a bit like Cardiff's Millennium stadium.

OK, so some of these may have very tenuous links. But it's all a bit of fun, and should make for good debate.

Which comparisons could you draw? Discuss.
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Old 08-07-2012, 01:25 PM
 
Location: Purgatory
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If you're going to compare Glasgow to a US city, it has to be Boston. Belfast also has a similar feel to Boston, but is smaller.

I agree with NYC & London. In fact, London is Europe's NYC, not just the UK's NYC.

Pittsburgh & Sheffield could be compared as both cities were once major players in the steel industry.

As for Manchester, I would compare it with Philadelphia....similar vibes, similar architecture and both very industrial and were both powerhouses of the former British Empire.

It's difficult to match most other US cities with UK equivalents, except for cities in the northeast and mid Atlantic.
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Old 08-07-2012, 02:27 PM
 
Location: North West Northern Ireland.
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I don't think that US cities are similar to our cities because the architecture is completely different. The only one that has a bit of european architecture would be New york and I would say thats more similar to Dublin or Edinburgh than London.
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Old 08-07-2012, 02:36 PM
 
Location: Strathclyde & Málaga
2,975 posts, read 8,089,733 times
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Boston with Glasgow or Dublin
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Old 08-07-2012, 02:42 PM
 
Location: Leeds, UK
22,139 posts, read 29,445,916 times
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I'd say Birmingham is more similar to Detroit, a once industrial powerhouse that is suffering due to loss of important industry. Both retain some car manufacturing (Detroit with GM and Birmingham with Land Rover)
Saying that, Birmingham is going through a transitional period from industry to service.

BTW, you posted this on SkyscraperCity??
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Old 08-07-2012, 03:42 PM
 
2,234 posts, read 5,462,768 times
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Default You wish..

Quote:
Originally Posted by dragonborn View Post

In fact, London is Europe's NYC, not just the UK's NYC.
No.
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Old 08-07-2012, 03:46 PM
 
Location: Purgatory
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Quote:
Originally Posted by dunno what to put here View Post
I'd say Birmingham is more similar to Detroit, a once industrial powerhouse that is suffering due to loss of important industry. Both retain some car manufacturing (Detroit with GM and Birmingham with Land Rover)
Saying that, Birmingham is going through a transitional period from industry to service.

BTW, you posted this on SkyscraperCity??
Birmingham is not even close to Detroit - not even the most deprived parts of Birmingham would even come close. Birmingham is also going through a transition, as you pointed out. I believe whole areas in Detroit have literally been abandoned.
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Old 08-07-2012, 03:47 PM
 
Location: Purgatory
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Quote:
Originally Posted by Glucorious View Post
No.
Yes.
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Old 08-07-2012, 03:49 PM
 
Location: Leeds, UK
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You're right dragonborn the deprivation levels in Detroit are on a whole other level, nothing in the UK compares and Birmingham is not struggling, but the two cities have a similar historical economic makeup.
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Old 08-07-2012, 03:57 PM
 
Location: Purgatory
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Quote:
Originally Posted by dunno what to put here View Post
You're right dragonborn the deprivation levels in Detroit are on a whole other level, nothing in the UK compares and Birmingham is not struggling, but the two cities have a similar historical economic makeup.
Both were proud motor cities at one point, that's right.
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