Skip to Content
Streetsblog USA home
Streetsblog USA home
Log In
Streetsblog

Does Your City Have Ambitions?

4060014192_d62dd55deb.jpgCities 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 thatoriginally came to my mind when thinking of this, but it too hasapplicability. 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 havesomething 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 thecivic ambition and POV is murky, a process of reflection on this isclearly warranted. Going back to the notion of a stage, since noteveryplace can be New York or London, the question might be how you cancreate a premier stage or environment in which to attract notice for afocused 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 USA

Friday Video: Are We All Living in a ‘Carspiracy’?

How does "car-brain" shape the way we think about the world — even in relatively bike-friendly countries like the U.K.?

July 26, 2024

Friday’s Headlines Share and Share Alike

Bikeshares, and e-bikes and scooters generally, are becoming more popular. That's led to more injuries, highlighting the need for better infrastructure.

July 26, 2024

What the Heck is Going on With the California E-Bike Incentive Program?

The program's launch has been delayed for two years, and currently "there is no specific timeline" for it. Plus the administrator, Pedal Ahead, is getting dragged, but details are vague.

July 26, 2024

Talking Headways Podcast: Have Cities Run Out of Land?

Chris Redfearn of USC and Anthony Orlando of Cal Poly Pomona on why "pro-business" Texas housing markets are catching up to "pro-regulation" California and what it might mean for future city growth.

July 25, 2024

The Paris Plan for Olympic Traffic? Build More Bike Lanes

A push to make Paris fully bikable for the Olympics is already paying dividends long before the opening ceremonies.

July 25, 2024
See all posts