In New Zealand we struggle to celebrate urbanism – perhaps central Wellington aside. For some reason our national psyche is very rural, even though we’re a highly urbanised country, and there’s something almost apologetic about our cities – so we try to make them as quasi-rural as possible. The Urbanophile Blog has put together a post showing a number of videos from cities around the world that really celebrate their urbanism – the fact that they are cities. I’ve always liked cities, always been a city person, so I’m a huge fan of these videos:
London (link to video):
Paris (link to video):
Berlin (link to video):
Tokyo (link to video):
New York City (link to video):
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Wonderful. There is a reason half the world’s population now lives in cities (an increase that shows no sign of slowing). People love to be in big and busy places, and they’ll put up with inconvenience to do so. If we can remove those things which lower quality of life, while retaining that which makes a place vibrant, we’ll get it all. The world’s most successful cities do so.
The Eye on Auckland crew have also created some wonderful urbanism that they hope we can learn from. It’s worth checking out and sharing around.
You’re making me miss large cities I’ve lived in! Here’s another, Paris (a place I haven’t lived).
Huge fan!
I am often struck by this – I look across Auckland’s urban landscapes and I think “That’s beautiful.” But it always surprises me a little bit to think that because the NZ ideal of beauty is something much more natural and untouched than a city. And I think some of my friends (especially those who grew up in the country) can’t actually see at all that cities are beautiful – they are always relieved when they get to leave Auckland and go somewhere that is less developed.
I love Auckland in those two weeks after Christmas. It’s amazing. No queues anywhere. Everyone is so relaxed. The constant reminder that everyone else has gone to some small town somewhere that’s become full of Aucklanders and is now the centre of traffic jams, queues and stress.
I think Auckland is extremely beautiful as well. The view from the waterfront in Devonport is my favourite (probably because I grew up there). I think the next few years will be really exciting for Auckland. The new public spaces are close to completion, the art gallery will be opening soon, Eden Park is massively improved, the public waterfront will shortly be doubled in size (with more to come). Hopefully we can get High Street pedestrianised, the City Rail Link, St James renovated and some more streets shared (Britomart and Lorne Street maybe). Things are certainly looking up for us.
This is another awesome one of New York:
Talking about New York, I assume everyone has seen this video about NY bike lanes that went viral a few weeks ago. But just in case… http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=bzE-IMaegzQ
” For some reason our national psyche is very rural”
I don’t think that is true anymore. As another poster said people are steadily moving into Auckland/Wellington and the other smaller urban centers.
I think this idea is a left over from the 70’s. Its just most people seem to think that other people want to live on a life style block.
A young couple opposite me just after moving in remarked that they liked the small house and would not want a larger garden, can’t see them wanting anything that NZ’s would call rural.