Does Your City Have Ambitions?
Cities are launching pads for all sorts of human aspirations. (Photo: Gold41 via Flickr)Yesterday, at The Urbanophile, Aaron Renn posted a thoughtful essay about the idea of the "city as platform." He looks at all the different meanings of the word platform and muses about how they apply in the urban context.
To me, the most intriguing idea in Renn’s post is the vision of "the city as a manifesto":
The political platform version wasn’t something that originally came to my mind when thinking of this, but it too has applicability. What is your city all “about”? What does it stand for? What is its ambition?
Think about the great cities of America, and they all seem to have something of a point of view on the world and what it should be like, even if it isn’t totally clear. Especially for those cities where the civic ambition and POV is murky, a process of reflection on this is clearly warranted. Going back to the notion of a stage, since not everyplace can be New York or London, the question might be how you can create a premier stage or environment in which to attract notice for a focused set of activities or ambitions.
What about it, folks? What are the ambitions of your city, if you live in one? How could they be different? Does your city need to aim higher? Let us know in the comments.
More from around the network: EcoVelo, home of some of the most beautiful bicycle pictures on the Internet, shares some photographic tips. Biking in Dallas wonders about the possibility of a Ciclovía in that Texas city. And FABB Blog has the scoop on a car-free challenge from The Bike Lane.
Stay in touch
Sign up for our free newsletter
More from Streetsblog New York City
School Bus Driver Hits Cyclist, Injures 3, On Major Brooklyn School Bike Route
The crash happened on the route of the weekly Bergen bike bus.
City of Yes Yes Yes! Adams Calls for Elimination of Parking Mandates on ALL New Housing
Mayor Adams today announced the historic end to one of the city’s most antiquated — and despised — zoning laws requiring the construction of parking with every new development.
Cruise Ships Saddle Red Hook with Traffic ‘Nightmare,’ Toxic Fumes
Red Hook is drowning in traffic and smog from cruise ships Mayor Adams has touted as a "boost" to the economy.
Thursday Headlines: UN Hypocrisy Week Edition
The Bronx Zoo and the New York Botanical Garden preach climate action, yet still oppose better bus service. Plus other news.
Online Retailers Selling Illegal Batteries and Mopeds to City Buyers
Call it Amazon crime: The mammoth online retailer is selling illegal batteries and mopeds to city residents, despite such devices being forbidden from city streets.
