crazyquik
Distinguished Member
- Joined
- May 8, 2007
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I consider this an incredibly dumb question, but it's something I've been going over in my head a lot lately.
Why is a particular city where it is? Does it serve a useful purpose? Is there any reason it has to be where it is?
Geographically, the port cities are easy to justify, and a lot of cities on rivers. But what about cities that came into power 180-80 years ago because of a railroad line or something, and those old industries have shuttered, died, or moved on. How do those cities hang around?
I talked to a friend about this and he kind of shrugged it off and said 'well, people have to live somewhere. Commerce has got to cluster itself together somewhere. Even if the cornerstone industry of a city has been outsourced, commerce might as well go there than anywhere else."
Do you anticipate that major cities will stay vibrant and powerful (NYC, Chicago, San Fran, Houston, etc) while others slip or get caught in a middle-market crunch?
Also, does anyone feel like Philadelphia is relatively less influential than it was decades ago? It's certainly no where near as powerful as it was 225 years ago. Will it continue to slide relative to other large cities?
Why is a particular city where it is? Does it serve a useful purpose? Is there any reason it has to be where it is?
Geographically, the port cities are easy to justify, and a lot of cities on rivers. But what about cities that came into power 180-80 years ago because of a railroad line or something, and those old industries have shuttered, died, or moved on. How do those cities hang around?
I talked to a friend about this and he kind of shrugged it off and said 'well, people have to live somewhere. Commerce has got to cluster itself together somewhere. Even if the cornerstone industry of a city has been outsourced, commerce might as well go there than anywhere else."
Do you anticipate that major cities will stay vibrant and powerful (NYC, Chicago, San Fran, Houston, etc) while others slip or get caught in a middle-market crunch?
Also, does anyone feel like Philadelphia is relatively less influential than it was decades ago? It's certainly no where near as powerful as it was 225 years ago. Will it continue to slide relative to other large cities?