Originally Posted by Smuttynose1
The Globalization and World Cities Research Network (GaWC) is a UK-based think tank that ranks cities into 'Alpha', 'Beta', and 'Gamma' tiers based on their international connectedness (or at least GaWC's measure of it). The ranking apparently focuses on accountancy, advertising, banking/finance, and law and relies heavily on city economics.
Last updated in 2000, the following US and Canadian cities rank in the Alpha and Beta categories:
Alpha level cities are linked to major economic states/regions and highly integrated into the world economy.
ALPHA ++
New York
ALPHA
Chicago
Los Angeles
Toronto, CAN
ALPHA -
Boston
Montreal, CAN
San Francisco
Beta level cities are cities that link moderate economic regions to the world economy.
BETA +
Atlanta
Dallas
Houston
Miami
Vancouver, CAN
Washington, DC
BETA
Denver
Philadelphia
Seattle
BETA -
Austin
Detroit
Minneapolis
San Diego
Tampa
Now what's your take on this? Specifically how would you rank the 10 Most Important Cities in the United States?
My list, in no particular order, would look something like this (with reasoning included)...
1. New York
2. Chicago
3. Los Angeles -- I don't think the 'Big 3' are particularly controversial and require a lot of reasoning
4. San Francisco -- Massive Tech Center, ground zero for gentrification/housing crisis, iconic landscapes and landmarks, historically associated with advent of hippy culture, LGBTQ rights, center for wealth and influential economic/philanthropic leaders, major finance center
5. Washington, DC -- Seat of US Federal Government, major center for politics and those working in public service, Think Tanks all over the place, major contributions to urban planning, one of best functioning US public transit systems, iconic landmarks and landscapes, successful 'bounce back' city from darker decades
6. Boston -- De Facto Capital of New England, Major tech/biotech center, huge university presence including Harvard & MIT, major medical sector, closely associated with US/Colonial & literary history, unique architecture & layout, well-known dialect/blue collar traditions, finance center, successful 'bounce back' city from darker decades
7. Atlanta -- De Facto Capital of the New South, large diversified booming economy, major film/music center, major growth center, emblematic of Sunbelt patterns of growth/development, major corporate center (CNN, Coca-Cola, AT&T, Delta, etc), significant cultural diversity, ginormous airport, major center for African American culture and history
8. Seattle -- Anchors the Pacific Northwest, Home/birthplace to many influential companies, i.e. Amazon, Microsoft, Boeing, Starbucks, etc., culturally significant, home of grunge music, stunning natural environment, major port, major green technologies/clean tech center, strong environmental justice movement
9. Dallas -- One of the capitals of Texas/Southwest (considering the growth/influence of Texas, this seems appropriate), largest fully land-locked metro area, diversified booming economy, emerging tech center, emblematic of Sunbelt patterns of development, emerging arts center, Old West/Cowboy Culture, significant cultural diversity, giant airport
10. Miami -- Major Hispanic/Latin American Center, major Port, tourism center, South Beach, largest metro in Florida/Southern US, close cultural/economic ties to Latin America
Very close to ranking:
Philadelphia -- Meds and Eds Center, Colonial History, major academic/higher ed center, population center, key part of Northeast megalopolis, largest city in swingiest of states / Hurt by its location so close to NYC/DC
Denver -- Anchors Intermountain West Region, major growth center, emerging technology-based economy, major outdoor recreation center, youthful/environmental justice-oriented population, large but isolated airport / Hurt by its smaller size
My list takes into account geographic context, which I don't think is really considered in the GaWC ranking.
I also thought about how this list would look if Canadian cities were incorporated. I couldn't settle on a Top 10 List, but a Top 12 List including Canadian cities would include Toronto, Montreal, and Vancouver at the expense of Dallas.
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