Since there has probably never been a thread dedicated to showing an uptown a one's city, this is probably the best place for it. Disscusions would be appreciated on it. As for pics, don't show a lot, but try to get a skyline shot or at least on ariel. Finally, don't worry if you city's uptown is not that much, that is usually the case for most uptowns. To start off, here are some shots of upper Manhattan for NYC.

http://www.pilotlist.org/balades/manhattan/13-wa_bridge.jpg
http://www.pilotlist.org/balades/manhattan/12-harlem.jpg
http://www.brorson.com/M4Bus/ViewFromLookout1.jpg
http://www.brorson.com/M4Bus/ViewFromLookout2.jpg
http://www.brorson.com/M4Bus/ViewFromLookout3.jpg
http://www.morningside-heights.net/lion3.jpg
http://www.forgotten-ny.com/forgottentour18/ccnystnickterrace.jpg

Who or what is an uptown?

Detroit's "Uptown" would be New Center and adjacent neighborhods.

http://static.flickr.com/37/87618086_8b221b64ed_b.jpg
Image ©2006 SOUTHEN (http://www.flickr.com/photos/southen/)

http://static.flickr.com/29/49753443_e84784a75c_o.jpg
Image ©2005 Kevin Yezbick (http://www.flickr.com/photos/kevinyezbick/)

http://static.flickr.com/6/10793129_62cc2db5a9_b.jpg
Image ©2005 ifmuth (http://www.flickr.com/photos/70205638@N00/)

http://static.flickr.com/45/138005133_2683bb4112_b.jpg
Image ©2006 ifmuth (http://www.flickr.com/photos/70205638@N00/)

Who or what is an uptown?

:dunno:

Does it mean residential areas?

I know whats the uptown for NYC but I dont know what are the exactly characteristics of an uptown for other cities.

Chicago's "uptown" is actually a neighborhood named "Uptown". I don't have any pictures, but it's basically areas of cities that grew up during the 20's and 30's and were areas of increased density and commercial/office areas of the cities that were away from the central core. Chicago's Uptown neighborhood was growing a lot during the 20's and 30's, and some believed it would grow to be larger than the downtown area (no one really believed them, and it didn't happen).

They were almost like "suburbs" within the city before todays suburbs came about. Somewhere in the city with increased employment bases that were closer to people in the immediate area, so they wouldn't have to go all the way downtown to work. I think their placement mostly followed the population and growth corridors in our cities back in the early 20th century.

Midtown could almost be called NYC's first "Uptown", but most cities like Detroit or Chicago have an area which acts/acted like a second smaller core of the city. I think the area of St. Louis west of downtown near the city park could be called their "Uptown". I don't know about other cities.

Is that right? God, I could be totally wrong.

Chicago Uptown Pictures

http://neighborhoods.chicago.il.us/a/Uptown/p0003.jpg

http://neighborhoods.chicago.il.us/a/Uptown/p0001.jpg

http://neighborhoods.chicago.il.us/a/Uptown/p0004.jpg

http://neighborhoods.chicago.il.us/a/Uptown/p0010.jpg

http://neighborhoods.chicago.il.us/a/Uptown/p0014.jpg

http://neighborhoods.chicago.il.us/a/Uptown/p0018.600x600.jpg

http://neighborhoods.chicago.il.us/a/Uptown/p0021.jpg

http://neighborhoods.chicago.il.us/a/Uptown/p0029.jpg

http://neighborhoods.chicago.il.us/a/Uptown/p0030.jpg

http://neighborhoods.chicago.il.us/a/Uptown/p0032.jpg

http://neighborhoods.chicago.il.us/a/Uptown/p0045.600x600.jpg

http://neighborhoods.chicago.il.us/a/Uptown/p0034.600x600.jpg

http://neighborhoods.chicago.il.us/a/Uptown/p0037.600x600.jpg

This topic is sooo SSP in character...

"Uptown girl, shes been living in her uptown world, I bet she never had a back street guy, I bet her mama never told her why"

:D

This topic is sooo SSP in character...

how so?

I'm not sure if Portland officially has an uptown, but the Pearl District is probably the closest:

http://www.breweryblocks.com/graphics/home_lgphoto.jpg

http://www.portlandhouses.com/images/nw/pearlfaces.jpg

http://www.hoytstreetproperties.com/images/pearl_aerial1.jpg

http://northwest.construction.com/images/boo-gregory.jpe

http://www.lightrailnow.org/images/por-lrt-stc-pearl-district-redevelopment-br_lrn.jpg

http://www.portlandbridges.com/photoimagefiles/portland-street-scenes-dreb0img09264-s.jpg

how so?


because uptowns mostly exist in the US and SSP is way more American than SSC?

What are the exactly characteristics of an uptown? is it an industrial neighbourhood? a low-class area? commercial? run-down district? middle class? near the downtown or in the right opposite of it, geographcially speaking?

We dont have an uptown just suburban office parks. But Tampas "uptown" could be the Westshore Area. The buildings are mostly 10-15 stories due to it being so close to the airport and it isnt that far from dowtown and its adjascent from it too. Here is a picuture from like 15+ miles away.

http://i50.photobucket.com/albums/f345/MK275/westshore.jpg

Is Yonge-Eglinton the uptown section of Toronto? I don't even know!

What are the exactly characteristics of an uptown? is it an industrial neighbourhood? a low-class area? commercial? run-down district? middle class? near the downtown or in the right opposite of it, geographcially speaking?

no its more geographical, in NYCs case its really obvious, but in most cases uptowns are less defined.

Is Yonge-Eglinton the uptown section of Toronto? I don't even know!

no that's midtown, i'd say North York is the uptown for sure

^^ Agreed.

HK doesn't really have an uptown but here's how I look at it. If Central is downtown, Wanchai / Causeway Bay midtown, North Point is uptown :)

http://www.arrakeen.ch/hk/099%20%20HK%20North%20Point%20.JPG

HK doesn't really have an uptown but here's how I look at it. If Central is downtown, Wanchai / Causeway Bay midtown, North Point is uptown :)

That's misleading. Wan Chai, Admiralty, and Central are the core districts. Causeway Bay and North Point are part of the central urban core. The concept of uptown doesn't exist in Hong Kong.

Stupidest thread ever posted in this section. What the fuck is an uptown? What characteristics does an Uptown have, except for it being located north of the city core?

Who's going to start the highly anticipated "Show your city's blippbluppgosimos" thread?

^^ You know someone is gonna do that now.

Stupidest thread ever posted in this section. What the fuck is an uptown? What characteristics does an Uptown have, except for it being located north of the city core?

Who's going to start the highly anticipated "Show your city's blippbluppgosimos" thread?

Not all city's downtown's are towards the south.

That's misleading. Wan Chai, Admiralty, and Central are the core districts. Causeway Bay and North Point are part of the central urban core. The concept of uptown doesn't exist in Hong Kong.

Yes they are the core districts. We all have our opinions on this but here's how I look at it. While these districts are part of the central urban core, Central and to some extent Admiralty is still HK's main CBD or city centre. I look at Wan Chai as "midtown" since it's out of Central but is still an important CBD. Anyway, it's just my opinion.

HK Island is not like Manhattan where you can have down,mid or uptowns. HK Island is more west to east.

Each cities have their own concept of how they layout their areas. NY (Manhattan) would have downtown, midtown or uptown while London would have westend, eastend, etc.

Toronto's Uptown; North York City Centre

http://img119.imageshack.us/img119/8661/54714203midautum30py.jpg

http://quirkynomads.com/photos/images/20050415112546_110704px.jpg

http://lizvang.com/photoblog/images/northyorkskyline.jpg

http://osku.com/photos/album-1/image/dsc_1089.jpg

http://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/en/thumb/e/ea/DowntownNorthYork20050903.JPG/400px-DowntownNorthYork20050903.JPG

http://stillmemory.ca/images/northyork_buildings.jpg

http://static.flickr.com/46/116171266_bea2c2c8b0_o.jpg

http://static.flickr.com/43/116171247_a6a7608100_o.jpg

http://img119.imageshack.us/img119/8661/54714203midautum30py.jpg

Not all city's downtown's are towards the south.

With NY, the main city centre is actually midtown not downtown!

Yes they are the core districts. We all have our opinions on this but here's how I look at it. While these districts are part of the central urban core, Central and to some extent Admiralty is still HK's main CBD or city centre. I look at Wan Chai as "midtown" since it's out of Central but is still an important CBD. Anyway, it's just my opinion.

HK Island is not like Manhattan where you can have down,mid or uptowns. HK Island is more west to east.

Each cities have their own concept of how they layout their areas. NY (Manhattan) would have downtown, midtown or uptown while London would have westend, eastend, etc.I don't think it's fruitful to apply certain district definitions to a strange setting. Intuitively it doesn't make sense. First of all, local Hong Kongers will not understand what an uptown is, let alone classify areas as such. As someone has alluded, what is a midtown? What is an uptown?

Hong Kong is not a west to east city either. In fact, the city's layout has traditionally been classified on a north to south axis, with the harbour as the primary separation point, then Boundary Street in Kowloon marking the old colonial border. The focus of power has been south of the harbour, and development went north. It follows the historic colonization of Hong Kong and annexation of the New Territories.

With NY, the main city centre is actually midtown not downtown!

While some may argue there is a lot more office space in Midtown, the core financial activity is still in downtown. AMEX and the NYSE are still in the old downtown, although trading houses may have relocated to Midtown. I guess the NYSE isn't moving to Jersey anymore.

I don't think it's fruitful to apply certain district definitions to a strange setting. Intuitively it doesn't make sense. First of all, local Hong Kongers will not understand what an uptown is, let alone classify areas as such. As someone has alluded, what is a midtown? What is an uptown?

Hong Kong is not a west to east city either. In fact, the city's layout has traditionally been classified on a north to south axis, with the harbour as the primary separation point, then Boundary Street in Kowloon marking the old colonial border. The focus of power has been south of the harbour, and development went north. It follows the historic colonization of Hong Kong and annexation of the New Territories.

Yes it can be confusing to local HKers except those who have been or have lived either in US or Canada.

Anyway, US cities came up with this with their concept of "downtown" with having the tallest skyscrapers and being the "centre of activity". Unfortunately, this doesn't apply to other cities especially those outside North America.

Yes it can be confusing to local HKers except those who have been or have lived either in US or Canada.

Anyway, US cities came up with this with their concept of "downtown" with having the tallest skyscrapers and being the "centre of activity". Unfortunately, this doesn't apply to other cities especially those outside North America.
Then that's quite contradictory to what you present as a Hong Kong uptown, if you admit that the concept of 'downtown with the tallest skyscrapers and being the centre of activity doesn't apply to other cities especially those outside North America'.

Besides, those who live abroad know perfectly well that Hong Kong's urban planning style is very different from the West, and especially North America, hence they would be more prudent to apply a skeptical eye on the validity of these sorts of comparisons.

North American cities are seeing a gradual decentralization of their downtowns to suburban areas, where there is much more commercial real estate growth (not retail) than the 'traditional' downtown. I'm not in so much agreement that the old concept of downtown = centre of activity anymore. Even in New York, Metro North has more commuters heading out of New York daily than heading into the city.

LOL, there were already 5 users asking "what is uptown?" here, and noone bothers to answer them. Could you please say WTF ARE YOU TALKING ABOUT HERE?????

What the hell is uptown???

Say what is uptown or

http://blogoehlert.typepad.com/eclippings/images/shoot_the_dog.jpg

The third closes major business district away from Downtown, however still in the city. Hell--I can atleast try right?


Uptown; North York City Centre.




Midtown Toronto; Yonge and Eglinton




Downtown Toronto

LOL, there were already 5 users asking "what is uptown?" here, and noone bothers to answer them. Could you please say WTF ARE YOU TALKING ABOUT HERE?????

What the hell is uptown???

Say what is uptown or

http://blogoehlert.typepad.com/eclippings/images/shoot_the_dog.jpg

No one has really answered you because there isnt really a clear defenition which is why this is a pretty bad thread idea (no offense).

Like I said before it makes the most sense when looking at Manhattan because you have downtown in Lower Manhattan and then Midtown and then Uptown. Uptown is a part of the city but "uptown" is also a term you use when your heading up the island. Like you can also say "im heading uptown" if your going from downtown to midtown.

But many cities arent as linear and north-south defined like NYC so, as you can see, it gets hard to define the "Uptown" for other cities.

Would apply La Défense of Paris apply as an uptown?

The only reason I know Chicago has an uptown is because the neighborhood itself is called uptown...

Maybe the guy who posted this thread thought every city had an uptown since a handfull of other cities have one.

More of North York Center:

http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v442/eighteighths/NorthYork-1.jpg

http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v442/eighteighths/PC190017.jpg

http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v442/eighteighths/28toronto_northyork04.jpg

http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v442/eighteighths/xtuuc.jpg

http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v442/eighteighths/RIMG1004-s.jpg

http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v442/eighteighths/img04884xy.jpg

http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v442/eighteighths/RIMG0986-s.jpg

http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v442/eighteighths/img04656kk.jpg

http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v442/eighteighths/img04870ia.jpg

Very sterile and boring but relatively impressive.

I'm still absolutely none the wiser as to what an 'uptown' is.

I understand the NYC concept as the historic city centre is at the southern tip of a long, thin island giving rise to an 'uptown' and a 'midtown' (as well as the 'downtown')... does this terminology all stem from Manhattan island?

Which streets are the boundaries on Manhattan? Is everything north of Central Park 'Uptown'? Does that make Harlem 'Uptown'? The Empire State is 'Midtown', right?

I'm confused!!!

Regardless, Manhattan is unique in its layout and the whole concept doesn't really apply to cities like London, Paris or Moscow which are inland and centred around a river.

I looked it up in the dictionary, and they just say it's "the upper part of town", whatever that means.

^^

yeah I think Manhattan basically coined the term, and yes Harlem is uptown and the Empire state building is in midtown ( the southern end of midtown).

Not all cities have uptowns, indeed few have them, it all depends on the greography and layout of the city I guess. Boston for instance doesnt have anything that could be considered an Uptown.

I would loosely define an "Uptown" as a secondary "Downtown", generally developed later than the "Downtown", and geographically far enough away to not be part of the "downtown". Usually developed as lower cost alternative to "Downtown". While "up" and "down" seem to signify "north" and "south", it does not necessarily mean they have to be aligned that way.

I would also say it's more of a North American phenomenom, due to the built-form nature of its cities (highly concentrated areas of commercial and residential high density, usually punctuated with highrises). European urban centres tend to have more spread out, older mixed-use areas, although "financial districts" may exist, creating what is generaly thought to be "Downtown" or the "CBD".

"Midtown" may be an alternative or addition to "Uptown" or "Downtown", but when all three are present, "Midtown" is located somewhere in between "Downtown" and "Uptown".

These may also change, depending on the changing nature of the city involved...in Toronto's case, "Downtown" used to be considered the area south of College St and "Uptown was the area north of College (to Bloor)....and there was no "Midtown". Now, everything north to Bloor is considered "Downtown", while everything between there and to north of Eglinton is considered "Midtown", with NYCC (from the 401 to Finch) generally considered "Uptown", but that is only lately, due to the recent nature of the area.

Did that make any sense at all?






KGB

If an uptown is a financial and commercial district which is away from the city centre I would say Lima´s uptown will be "San Isidro", which is about 10km south of the city centre which is "Cercado".

http://www.fotosedm.hpg.ig.com.br/Lima/San_Isidro_3.jpg
http://www.peru-realestate.com/images/San_Isidro.jpg
http://fixedreference.org/2006-Wikipedia-CD-Selection/images/40/4069.jpg
http://img96.imageshack.us/img96/3707/img036723ulam3.jpg
http://img152.imageshack.us/img152/6258/lima110bi2cq.jpg
http://img211.imageshack.us/img211/9021/img035524fkwd6.jpg

I suggest a totally different definition.

An "uptown" is a dense, mixed-use district that mixes wealth, shopping, and entertainment. Generally it'll be one of the city's top locations for high-end condos, retail, and restaurants. It can also have offices, hotels, and arts. Residents are probably the biggest key.

Examples include Manhattan's Upper East Side, Vancouver's West End, Chicago's Miracle Mile, and London's Knightsbridge. These are pretty varied in their amounts of retail and their levels of wealth, but they also have similarities.

I suggest a totally different definition.

An "uptown" is a dense, mixed-use district that mixes wealth, shopping, and entertainment. Generally it'll be one of the city's top locations for high-end condos, retail, and restaurants. It can also have offices, hotels, and arts. Residents are probably the biggest key.

Examples include Manhattan's Upper East Side, Vancouver's West End, Chicago's Miracle Mile, and London's Knightsbridge. These are pretty varied in their amounts of retail and their levels of wealth, but they also have similarities.

Manhatten's Upper East Side is more part of Midtown I believe. and I don't see what wealth has to do with anything. I mean, Harlem is for sure a part of New York's Uptown, and its not exactally what I'd call rich.

I'd say it has to do more with geographic location (away from the downtown to whatever direction), and the time it was built (after downtown).

Ugh... don't really know the point of this thread. I don't know many cities outside of New York (and apparently Chicago... however never heard of the neighborhood) that actually refer to an area of a city as 'Uptown'. It isn't really a definable term and isn't really a second business district.

Living in Manhattan, people will commonly use the term 'uptown' or 'downtown' to discribe the direction of subway lines; i.e. "take the Q uptown to 42nd" or something.

http://photos1.blogger.com/img/126/1189/640/new_york_subway_bluescreen.jpg

Uptown in New York is definitely not known for being wealthy... or a second business district for that matter. It is primarily residential with commercial corridors, unlike, say Midtown, which is primarily commercial office. This is a map of 'Uptown' or usually referred to as 'Upper Manhattan'.

http://www.nyc.gov/html/dot/gif/trans_maps/upper.gif

"Uptown girl, shes been living in her uptown world, I bet she never had a back street guy, I bet her mama never told her why"

:D

My god!! I feel sorry for you!!! I hope you got those lyrics off the internet and not out of your head!

hey, billy joel is legit

^^

yeah I think Manhattan basically coined the term, and yes Harlem is uptown and the Empire state building is in midtown ( the southern end of midtown).

Not all cities have uptowns, indeed few have them, it all depends on the greography and layout of the city I guess. Boston for instance doesnt have anything that could be considered an Uptown.

I think every city have their uptown but have different names of calling them. I look at uptown as the part of the city (particularly north) that is still a centre of activity but is beyond the downtown and close to the suburbs. Quite confusing isn't it?

La Defense can be considered as "uptown" but an average Parisian don't look at it that way.

As for Manhattan, yes they coined the term since it's a long island. But if you look at it, NY's real uptowns are the Bronx and Yonkers.

uptown galleria as seen from downtown facing west (jpmorgan chase tower)

http://www.pbase.com/mancusoj/image/24485258.jpg

as seen from parking garage facing east.

http://www.pbase.com/mancusoj/image/48009094.jpg

I think every city have their uptown but have different names of calling them. I look at uptown as the part of the city (particularly north) that is still a centre of activity but is beyond the downtown and close to the suburbs. Quite confusing isn't it?

La Defense can be considered as "uptown" but an average Parisian don't look at it that way.

As for Manhattan, yes they coined the term since it's a long island. But if you look at it, NY's real uptowns are the Bronx and Yonkers.

Not all cities grow in a north-south axis with the main centre in the south and the rest of the development flowing north. The centre of activity may be decentralized, like many Chinese cities and a growing trend among North American cities. Hence, the notion of 'uptown' can only be interpreted in very few cities where such concepts have been incorporated in the city's development fabric.

La Defense is technically outside Paris, so it isn't an uptown at all. It's more a suburb in fact.

Would the Las Vegas Strip be an "uptown"? Downtown is a couple miles away to the north. But here's where it gets confusing, the strip is about a thousand time bigger than downtown, but it isn't even in the city limits, it's in an unincorporated county township called Paradise (the city loses a ton of taxes because of that). It's officially classified as a "resort corridor", but has tons of shopping and is rapidly adding condos. There's another part of town in between the Strip and downtown which might qualify as a midtown, but we just call it the "naked city" because of all the vice.

Oh well, on this site of Vegas city areas they don't list an "uptown".
http://www.insiders.com/lasvegas/main-overviews3.htm

There are several other new developments springing up around the valley that are designed as mixed use town centers. Maybe those will be uptowns?

...you know, some cities don't HAVE uptowns

How about Los Angeles, We have downtown LA, Century City can be considered as "midtown". Whats uptown? Santa Monica or Westwood?

Here's Calgary's Uptown - it's named so.

http://www.globalphotos.org/calgary/20061001/IMG_0105.jpg

http://www.globalphotos.org/calgary/20061001/IMG_0107.jpg

http://www.globalphotos.org/calgary/20061001/IMG_0109.jpg

http://www.globalphotos.org/calgary/20061001/IMG_0114.jpg

http://www.globalphotos.org/calgary/20061001/IMG_0126.jpg

http://www.globalphotos.org/calgary/20061001/IMG_0132.jpg

I would loosely define an "Uptown" as a secondary "Downtown", generally developed later than the "Downtown", and geographically far enough away to not be part of the "downtown". Usually developed as lower cost alternative to "Downtown". While "up" and "down" seem to signify "north" and "south", it does not necessarily mean they have to be aligned that way.

I would also say it's more of a North American phenomenom, due to the built-form nature of its cities (highly concentrated areas of commercial and residential high density, usually punctuated with highrises). European urban centres tend to have more spread out, older mixed-use areas, although "financial districts" may exist, creating what is generaly thought to be "Downtown" or the "CBD".

"Midtown" may be an alternative or addition to "Uptown" or "Downtown", but when all three are present, "Midtown" is located somewhere in between "Downtown" and "Uptown".

These may also change, depending on the changing nature of the city involved...in Toronto's case, "Downtown" used to be considered the area south of College St and "Uptown was the area north of College (to Bloor)....and there was no "Midtown". Now, everything north to Bloor is considered "Downtown", while everything between there and to north of Eglinton is considered "Midtown", with NYCC (from the 401 to Finch) generally considered "Uptown", but that is only lately, due to the recent nature of the area.

Did that make any sense at all?






KGB
Not really.
Why not just call the "downtown" city core/city center and call the other secondary financial centers by their respective real names, instead of using completely illogical terms that only defines where the areas are located geographically?
The "downtown"/"uptown" thing is only applicable to cities that have their city core located south of the secondary and third commercial business districts - am I correct?

Stupidest thing I've ever heard. Why not just make a thread named "Where's your city's secondary business district located?"

Not really.
Why not just call the "downtown" city core/city center and call the other secondary financial centers by their respective real names, instead of using completely illogical terms that only defines where the areas are located geographically?
The "downtown"/"uptown" thing is only applicable to cities that have their city core located south of the secondary and third commercial business districts - am I correct?

Stupidest thing I've ever heard. Why not just make a thread named "Where's your city's secondary business district located?"

I had a similar thread years back which was "Show your city's midtown"

Manhatten's Upper East Side is more part of Midtown I believe. and I don't see what wealth has to do with anything. I mean, Harlem is for sure a part of New York's Uptown, and its not exactally what I'd call rich.

I'd say it has to do more with geographic location (away from the downtown to whatever direction), and the time it was built (after downtown).

I'm not talking about New York, or Seattle for that matter.

Different definitions exist. For some people it's more about being north of downtown. For others, the term refers to a central neighborhood that's more residential and more prosperous than Downtown. Or an adjective for any prosperous residential neighborhood. Some dictionaries say that. Other times, it's an adjective for anything that's trying to be classy.

Not really.
Why not just call the "downtown" city core/city center and call the other secondary financial centers by their respective real names, instead of using completely illogical terms that only defines where the areas are located geographically?
The "downtown"/"uptown" thing is only applicable to cities that have their city core located south of the secondary and third commercial business districts - am I correct?

Stupidest thing I've ever heard. Why not just make a thread named "Where's your city's secondary business district located?"

Fully agree. Globalization hasn't harmonized district naming conventions yet, although English names have lingered on from previous generations.

**** "Uptown" is a NY-centric term that refers specifically to the linear geograpy of Manhattan and rarely applies to most other cities.

How about Los Angeles, We have downtown LA, Century City can be considered as "midtown". Whats uptown? Santa Monica or Westwood?

Mid-Wilshire/Miracle Mile/Hollywood would be the "Midtown" and
Century City/Westwood would be the so-called "Uptown."

But we just call it "The Westside."

I'm not talking about New York, or Seattle for that matter.

Different definitions exist. For some people it's more about being north of downtown. For others, the term refers to a central neighborhood that's more residential and more prosperous than Downtown. Or an adjective for any prosperous residential neighborhood. Some dictionaries say that. Other times, it's an adjective for anything that's trying to be classy.

I just "googled" Uptown. This is what it came up with:


of or located in the upper part of a town; "uptown residential areas"
a residential part of town away from the central commercial district
toward or in the upper part of town


I don't know where you get the "prosperous" notion. In NYC, the Upper East Side is only sometimes consided part of Uptown, but so is Harlem, Spanish Harlem, Washington Heights, etc... not really prosperous parts of the city. I don't see the correlation between wealth and Uptown.


Not really.
Why not just call the "downtown" city core/city center and call the other secondary financial centers by their respective real names, instead of using completely illogical terms that only defines where the areas are located geographically?
The "downtown"/"uptown" thing is only applicable to cities that have their city core located south of the secondary and third commercial business districts - am I correct?

Stupidest thing I've ever heard. Why not just make a thread named "Where's your city's secondary business district located?"

I agree the title of the thread is poorly titled... in general, Uptown refers to a residential neighborhood. No need to be rough on the concept though...

Still confused... :crazy:

So its a residential, commercial, dense, rich, poor, classy, seedy, industrial area both close to and far away from the centre... That's 'up', right?

:rofl:

I just "googled" Uptown. This is what it came up with:


of or located in the upper part of a town; "uptown residential areas"
a residential part of town away from the central commercial district
toward or in the upper part of town


I don't know where you get the "prosperous" notion. In NYC, the Upper East Side is only sometimes consided part of Uptown, but so is Harlem, Spanish Harlem, Washington Heights, etc... not really prosperous parts of the city. I don't see the correlation between wealth and Uptown.


Why are you talking about New York?

By "prosperous", I'm referring to the way the term is used in popular culture, or at least how it used to be used. Maybe it's my age (37) speaking, as I realize it's not a common word today. If you spend enough time in Google you come up with references to this.

No one has really answered you because there isnt really a clear defenition which is why this is a pretty bad thread idea (no offense).

Like I said before it makes the most sense when looking at Manhattan because you have downtown in Lower Manhattan and then Midtown and then Uptown. Uptown is a part of the city but "uptown" is also a term you use when your heading up the island. Like you can also say "im heading uptown" if your going from downtown to midtown.

But many cities arent as linear and north-south defined like NYC so, as you can see, it gets hard to define the "Uptown" for other cities.

Too late anyway. Kiki's blood is on your hands now http://images.google.pl/images?q=tbn:UByA4u0CfttAJM:http://www.mickm.com/forum/images/smiles/icon_twisted.gif

I'm not talking about New York, or Seattle for that matter.

You used New York as an example...

Not really.
Why not just call the "downtown" city core/city center and call the other secondary financial centers by their respective real names, instead of using completely illogical terms that only defines where the areas are located geographically?
The "downtown"/"uptown" thing is only applicable to cities that have their city core located south of the secondary and third commercial business districts - am I correct?

Stupidest thing I've ever heard. Why not just make a thread named "Where's your city's secondary business district located?"


Yes your exactly right, this is a silly thread. Except Uptowns arent secondary business districts, like Upper Manhattan is more a residential district.

You and HKSkyline are right that Uptown's can only really be used for cities that a have specific layout.

no that's midtown, i'd say North York is the uptown for sure

D'oh! Silly me... hence the MintoMIDTOWN project's name LOL

^^^^As far as I know in today's Toronto, Yonge and Eglinton is Uptown.... It is definitely not North York. The "up" in uptown is a physical one.... you go "uphill"... it does not mean "richer", but often that is the way it works. Richer people lived a little higher up the hill. Historically, "uptown" was closer to downtown. Don't forget that the old Eaton's Uptown was at Yonge and College, and The Uptown Cinema was just below Bloor Street.

Toronto probably has the best uptown out of any city on earth eh?
Holy crapola!!

I think using Manhattan as an example is misleading. I don't see "uptown" as a district there at all. Manhattan is basically just a large "downtown" with many, many districts.

I find that Manhattanites use the term "uptown" and "downtown" as simply directions of travel...not "places". As in...I'm heading uptown or I'm heading downtown...simply a direction of travel depending on where you happen to be in Manhattan. If you are in the Upper West Side and are going to Chelsea or SOHO for instance, you might say you are heading "downtown", rather than mentioning the specific district you are going to.

There's no hard and fast rule...just something I've persoanlly noticed as a general habit.






KGB

Weirdly, lots of my friends from London have taken a fancy to calling the Canary Wharf area "downtown". Even stranger, it seems to be homegrown, and NOT something picked up from American expats living there. When I asked a British friend why they call Canary Wharf "downtown", he shrugged and said, "that's where the skyscrapers are". I couldn't really disagree, because that's really the exact same mental definition most Americans have about what constitutes "downtown" (even if it differs from what professional city planners might perceive).

By that definition, you could argue that La Defense is "downtown Paris", and make a compelling case for categorizing Rosslyn, Virginia as "downtown Washington". In all three cases -- Canary Wharf, La Defense, and Rosslyn -- the area with the tallest skyscrapers is not necessarily the city's most important business district, or even geographically near the de-facto/historical CBD. It just happens to be the most visibly obvious area by virtue of having the tallest buildings.

By contrast, trying to define "downtown" Sao Paolo by the "that's where the skyscrapers are" definition fails miserably, because they're everywhere. Ditto for Hong Kong. Miami is similarly problematic... there's still an obvious concentration of skyscrapers in one general area, but the line gets more and more blurred every day as tall buildings spread to the suburbs.

Hmm... I guess this comes close enough... it's a bit isolated, it's high income, it's north of the downtown and fits the "third commercial area" pretty well...

Søndre Frihavn - Copenhagen

http://img482.imageshack.us/img482/1385/billede063vl3.jpg

http://img370.imageshack.us/img370/8858/billede065mf9.jpg

http://img73.imageshack.us/img73/7303/billede076zg2.jpg

http://img370.imageshack.us/img370/8219/billede068zv8.jpg

http://img482.imageshack.us/img482/2919/billede053pt7.jpg

More pics of the area here: http://skyscrapercity.com/showthread.php?t=341884&page=7


Crownprincess Mary used to live here when she came up from Australia, before her and the Crownprince married... she would be an "uptown girl" right?

Traditionally, the Uptown's of both Manhattan & Chicago's have been very notable exceptions to the notion that uptown means going up north=going up in neighborhoods. But central Harlem's certainly been gentrifying. Very tough to find a decent place up in Harlem without paying the better part of a fortune for it. Chicago's Uptown, a humble oasis of affordable housing amidst the gentrifying north side lakefront, is also heading upward in terms of real estate.

I had a similar thread years back which was "Show your city's midtown"

Lol years back? You've only been here a year and change. Anyway yeah I remember that one.

I think using Manhattan as an example is misleading. I don't see "uptown" as a district there at all. Manhattan is basically just a large "downtown" with many, many districts.

I find that Manhattanites use the term "uptown" and "downtown" as simply directions of travel...not "places". As in...I'm heading uptown or I'm heading downtown...simply a direction of travel depending on where you happen to be in Manhattan. If you are in the Upper West Side and are going to Chelsea or SOHO for instance, you might say you are heading "downtown", rather than mentioning the specific district you are going to.

There's no hard and fast rule...just something I've persoanlly noticed as a general habit.






KGB



agreed.

Uptown Dallas......

(taken by Naptown)
http://inside465.com/dallas/dallas43.jpg

http://inside465.com/dallas/dallas47.jpg

(taken by NMBS1)
http://i30.photobucket.com/albums/c350/protaras/Picture309-2.jpg

http://i30.photobucket.com/albums/c350/protaras/Picture287-1.jpg

http://i30.photobucket.com/albums/c350/protaras/Pircture318.jpg

http://i30.photobucket.com/albums/c350/protaras/Picrture304.jpg

http://i30.photobucket.com/albums/c350/protaras/Picture299.jpg

http://i30.photobucket.com/albums/c350/protaras/Picrture324.jpg

http://i30.photobucket.com/albums/c350/protaras/Picture340.jpg

http://i30.photobucket.com/albums/c350/protaras/Picture346.jpg

Lol years back? You've only been here a year and change. Anyway yeah I remember that one.

MY BAD I meant months back :D

Anyway I was in Metro Manila last week and I look at Quezon City as "uptown" :)

http://i71.photobucket.com/albums/i152/wanchtography/Manila/quezon%20city/qctower.jpg

Traditionally, the Uptown's of both Manhattan & Chicago's have been very notable exceptions to the notion that uptown means going up north=going up in neighborhoods. But central Harlem's certainly been gentrifying. Very tough to find a decent place up in Harlem without paying the better part of a fortune for it. Chicago's Uptown, a humble oasis of affordable housing amidst the gentrifying north side lakefront, is also heading upward in terms of real estate.


Well, I'm going to guess that the "up" in "uptown" does not mean "upscale". I believe in most traditional senses it means UP from the waterfront, as in elevation. Rich people just happened to not build by the water in case of floods. Why do you think the posh old area of New Orleans was not flooded? Is Chicago's traditional uptown area on the lakefront?
Harlem was not always the same as what it is now. The Afro-American community in New York got shunted about a lot, and when the subway was built, it allowed many of them to move farther away, into Harlem. They slowly migrated to different areas, ending up in Harlem.

Well, I'm going to guess that the "up" in "uptown" does not mean "upscale". I believe in most traditional senses it means UP from the waterfront, as in elevation. Rich people just happened to not build by the water in case of floods. Why do you think the posh old area of New Orleans was not flooded? Is Chicago's traditional uptown area on the lakefront?
Harlem was not always the same as what it is now. The Afro-American community in New York got shunted about a lot, and when the subway was built, it allowed many of them to move farther away, into Harlem. They slowly migrated to different areas, ending up in Harlem.

Harlem is not just African American. The east part of Harlem (Spanish Harlem) is predominantly Puerto Rican.

As for "uptown", true it doesn't mean upscale and it doesn't have to be all residential as well.

Harlem is not just African American. The east part of Harlem (Spanish Harlem) is predominantly Puerto Rican.

As for "uptown", true it doesn't mean upscale and it doesn't have to be all residential as well.

True. I was more referring to the traditional view of Harlem... it has been an evolving thing and will continue to evolve. I am still surprised, however, if Chicago's uptown is on the waterfront. That is unusual.

True. I was more referring to the traditional view of Harlem... it has been an evolving thing and will continue to evolve. I am still surprised, however, if Chicago's uptown is on the waterfront. That is unusual.

The lakefront portion of Chicago's Uptown, which is very diverse (both in terms of socio-economic & racial-ethnic mix) includes typical upscale hi-rise condos, etc.

But walk just a block or two inland and it's much more downscale. Uptown has had a base of many social service agencies that have, for better &/or worse, resisted the spread of gentrification in Lincoln Park, Lakeview, Edgewater & other north side neighborhoods. Yet, how long Uptown may keep wholsale gentrification at bay is a interesting question.

As for El Barrio, the Hispanic portion of NYC's Harlem, the housing stock there tends to be older, in worse shape & generally less condusive to gentrification than that in Central Harlem. Although most Puerto Ricans too long ago traded Spanish Harlem for the Bronx.

no that's midtown, i'd say North York is the uptown for sure
^^ Agreed.

But we have "downtown" North York ;)

I don't think Uptown always has to mean "up" as in the direction. It's just an easy opposite of "down"town. Downtowns have always stood for the main business district of the city, the main cultural areas, businesses, commerce, retail, transit. Uptowns developed decades ago as cities grew large and it got to be a hassle for people living away from downtown to always make their way to the downtown area.

These areas developed as new, smaller areas of commerce, culture and retail. They were nice and new and gave people living farther away (north, south, east, west) of town a second choice as opposed to going downtown.

"Downtown", "Midtown" and "Uptown" I believe all grew out of NYC. In NYC, "downtown" really is down-town. Midtown really is in the middle of town, and uptown really is "up"-town when looking at the tall skinny island that goes from north to south.

There aren't many other cities where "downtown" really means everyone goes "down" to get there. In most cities you can either go down, up, east, west, over whatever to get "downtown". It's just a word that developed from NYC. It would be easier if we had the European way of calling it the "City Center". The same with Uptowns, they don't HAVE to be "up" from downtown as far as I'm concerned.

They're just pre-war secondary cores of major cities.

uptown is an area called that by locals. houston's uptown is not "up" but west but everyone just calls it uptown.

downtown is usually where city hall is, btw.

I don't think Uptown always has to mean "up" as in the direction. It's just an easy opposite of "down"town. Downtowns have always stood for the main business district of the city, the main cultural areas, businesses, commerce, retail, transit. Uptowns developed decades ago as cities grew large and it got to be a hassle for people living away from downtown to always make their way to the downtown area.

These areas developed as new, smaller areas of commerce, culture and retail. They were nice and new and gave people living farther away (north, south, east, west) of town a second choice as opposed to going downtown.

"Downtown", "Midtown" and "Uptown" I believe all grew out of NYC. In NYC, "downtown" really is down-town. Midtown really is in the middle of town, and uptown really is "up"-town when looking at the tall skinny island that goes from north to south.

There aren't many other cities where "downtown" really means everyone goes "down" to get there. In most cities you can either go down, up, east, west, over whatever to get "downtown". It's just a word that developed from NYC. It would be easier if we had the European way of calling it the "City Center". The same with Uptowns, they don't HAVE to be "up" from downtown as far as I'm concerned.

They're just pre-war secondary cores of major cities.

This is where the confusion happens. The centre of activity in a city is usually downtown. Again, in NY the downtown part of Manhattan may be a centre for the city's financial activities. But if you look at it, the centre is actually in Midtown. It's where most of the activities happen not just business but also culture, entertainment, etc. In fact alot of banks, offices and HQ of major companies and corporations are in Midtown.

But there is an advantage for cities to have several business districts or CBDs besides only one especially large cities such as Los Angeles, Tokyo or Mexico City.

I'm sure it is different in some cities, but I do believe "up" referred to going upward away from flood zones in a traditional sense. Certainly our Uptown and Midtown are most definitely "up" from "downtown", elevation-wise. Today I rode my bike up there. First, what I would call Uptown, Yonge and Eglinton (no, it is not North York, guys! :) )

http://img377.imageshack.us/img377/4360/nov0606yongeandeglintonri0.jpg

Looking south to Midtown

http://img174.imageshack.us/img174/4196/nov0606yongeandeglintonda1.jpg

condos condos everywhere:

http://img391.imageshack.us/img391/5843/nov0606yongeandeglintonta6.jpg

and what I would call Midtown (but I am sure other's might not agree) Yonge and St. Clair:

http://img468.imageshack.us/img468/4028/nov0606yongeandeglingtogz1.jpg

http://img482.imageshack.us/img482/1578/nov0606yongeandeglingtoiz9.jpg

http://img490.imageshack.us/img490/5594/nov0606yongeandstclairei0.jpg

looking down Yonge Street to downtown:

http://img377.imageshack.us/img377/6573/nov0606yongeandstclairtrm1.jpg

http://img479.imageshack.us/img479/7689/nov0606yongeandstclairtch7.jpg

St Clair Avenue

http://img359.imageshack.us/img359/9707/nov0606stclairwestjpgsq8.jpg

http://img475.imageshack.us/img475/7840/nov0606stclairwestifr4.jpg

http://img451.imageshack.us/img451/9677/nov0606stclairwestiiwl5.jpg

St Clair area, midtown, is considered a very desireable area of town to live. So is Yonge and Eglinton, but it is not quite as posh around there.

http://img352.imageshack.us/img352/2752/nov0606stclairwestiiimq0.jpg

http://img368.imageshack.us/img368/3377/nov0606yongeandstclairsvy4.jpg

http://img361.imageshack.us/img361/2276/nov0606yongeandstclairvht9.jpg

Uptowns is a notion totaly foreign to European cities.

If downtown can approximatively be compared with European city centers (and even this comparison is limited), the uptown is a specific of north american urbanism.

And as such, there is no such thing as a Paris updown (or downtown for the matter)

Uptowns is a notion totaly foreign to European cities.

If downtown can approximatively be compared with European city centers (and even this comparison is limited), the uptown is a specific of north american urbanism.

And as such, there is no such thing as a Paris updown (or downtown for the matter)

It is fairly certain that it began in New York City, probably around 1836, to describe a residential development away from the business centre. The use of the term Uptown here is sporadic, and the use of "Midtown" is even less. In
a way, it is sort of an old-fashioned terminology.

uptown is an area called that by locals. houston's uptown is not "up" but west but everyone just calls it uptown.

downtown is usually where city hall is, btw.
That is probably true about the term. Coincidentally, most city's CBDs happen to be in the south end [downtown], so most of the time uptown is whatever is not part of it, which is usually north. There are some exceptions such as Philly and Chicago having southsides that are not considered part of downtown. Speaking of Harlem, it was those people who gave NYC the nickname of being the Big Apple. Of course the pics I showed also included Morningside Hts, Washington Hts, and Inwood as well. On a sidenote, I didn't think this thread would get so many replies.

That is probably true about the term. Coincidentally, most city's CBDs happen to be in the south end [downtown], so most of the time uptown is whatever is not part of it, which is usually north. There are some exceptions such as Philly and Chicago having southsides that are not considered part of downtown. Speaking of Harlem, it was those people who gave NYC the nickname of being the Big Apple. Of course the pics I showed also included Morningside Hts, Washington Hts, and Inwood as well. On a sidenote, I didn't think this thread would get so many replies.

I think there are only a few cities which have their downtowns / CBDs in the south end. Mostly NY, Toronto, etc. Other cities have it different like Los Angeles or San Francisco.

As for uptown NY, I think the rougher parts are usually in the eastside. I don't think the westside is that bad though. Isn't Columbia University uptown?

I think there are only a few cities which have their downtowns / CBDs in the south end. Mostly NY, Toronto, etc. Other cities have it different like Los Angeles or San Francisco.

As for uptown NY, I think the rougher parts are usually in the eastside. I don't think the westside is that bad though. Isn't Columbia University uptown?

Upper Westside ( which is between Central Park and Hudson River, above West 59th St) is beautiful and extremely cool. Upper East Side is probably wealthier and more conservative. Yes, Columbia is in the upper section.

Columbia University is in the Morningside Heights section near Harlem, and it gets quite seedy a bit north after that.

But there is an advantage for cities to have several business districts or CBDs besides only one especially large cities such as Los Angeles, Tokyo or Mexico City.
The decentralization of the traditional core is an urban planning sorepoint especially in North America, where businesses are migrating to less-expensive suburban office parks, leading to reverse commutes and a whole range of transit problems.

^^ I'm sure you are aware that the same thing happens in Europe and elsewhere, HK. The downtown area is not the area where all the business'
operate. There are suburbs thriving in England and Europe and everywhere else.

^^ I'm sure you are aware that the same thing happens in Europe and elsewhere, HK. The downtown area is not the area where all the business'
operate. There are suburbs thriving in England and Europe and everywhere else.

With the case of HK, yes that alot of business are moving to secondary and new CBDs such as Tsuen Wan or Kwun Tong where the rent for office space is cheaper.

But in HK, the main CBD (Central) is still much the centre of economic, political and business activity.

^^ I'm sure you are aware that the same thing happens in Europe and elsewhere, HK. The downtown area is not the area where all the business'
operate. There are suburbs thriving in England and Europe and everywhere else.

Reverse commutes are far problematic in North America. Even in New York, a recent report from Metro North highlighted for the first time they take more passengers out of the city rather than inbound. That would be unthinkable in Hong Kong.

With the case of HK, yes that alot of business are moving to secondary and new CBDs such as Tsuen Wan or Kwun Tong where the rent for office space is cheaper.

But in HK, the main CBD (Central) is still much the centre of economic, political and business activity.

I don't think there is a flight of businesses from the core to the outlying areas. HSBC has a secondary campus on Kowloon (Olympic MTR) but their core operations are still on Hong Kong Island. The cheaper locations are geared towards smaller businesses that otherwise can't afford prime rents in the key districts anyway. For the large companies, they serve as back office and non-core functions .. at least for the ones that haven't been outsourced yet.

And as such, there is no such thing as a Paris uptown (or downtown for the matter)
Well, reading from the various definitions offered by people here, I guess you can identify an "uptown" in Paris, although people never think of it, or refer to it, as such. It would correspond to the 8th and above all 9th arrondissement of Paris. The difference with American uptowns is that these areas started to be developed as early as in the middle of the 18th century, but they fit quite well with the definition of "uptown" I've seen here (new neighborhoods developed away from the city center and which turn into new centers of their own). The historical medieval heart of Paris, its "downtown" if you like (arrondissements 1 to 6), was overcrowded, and so rich people started to move to new areas to the west of the city center, in what is now the 8th arrondissement, around what is now the Elysées Palace. This area was, and still is, known as the Faubourg Saint-Honoré. In the late 18th century, if you were a rich foreigner visiting Paris, you would quite likely have stayed in the Faubourg Saint-Honoré, you wouldn't have stayed in the center of Paris. Benjamin Franklin and Thomas Jefferson both lived in the Faubourg Saint-Honoré during their time in France.

This phenomenon was accelerated in the 19th century, and I think that's when you can really talk of an "uptown". After 1820, the southern areas of the 9th arrondissement, which lie to the north of the Faubourg Saint-Honoré, and to the northwest of Paris's old city center, were developed at a fast pace, and pretty much all wealthy people left the old city and moved to these new areas. Not only that, but businesses also moved out of "downtown" Paris and relocated to these new areas around the Opéra, the Madeleine church, the Saint-Lazare train station. Back in those days, people complained that the city of Paris was "moving" to the west, leaving the old city center like an empty shell, with only poor people staying there. People referred to this as the "déplacement" (i.e. "moving", "shifting") of Paris.

Perhaps the best example of this is an area called the Nouvelle Athènes (i.e. "New Athens"), which was built from scratch by developers in the 1820s, on a massive scale, in homogenous neoclassical style. Famous people like Chopin, Delacroix, or Alexandre Dumas moved there. This area, located in the 9th arrondissement, to the northwest of the old city center (approx. 1.5 to 2.5 km./1 to 1.5 miles away from the old city center), is what comes closest to an American uptown, even though, of course, it was developed a long time before American uptowns. Here are a few pictures of the Nouvelle Athènes.

http://www.terresdecrivains.com/IMG/jpg/athenes1.jpg

http://www.terresdecrivains.com/IMG/jpg/athenes3.jpg

http://paris.9.evous.fr/9e/histoire/300/nouvelle_athene9_300.jpg

http://www.m-og.com/paris/images/Paris004.jpg

http://altert.family.free.fr/pere/phparis/paris067.jpg

http://ec-5-milton.scola.ac-paris.fr/images/CM1%20a/Paris/Martyrs_4_comp.jpg

Reverse commutes are far problematic in North America. Even in New York, a recent report from Metro North highlighted for the first time they take more passengers out of the city rather than inbound. That would be unthinkable in Hong Kong.

While it is not possible to generalise about all cities in North America, or all cities in Europe, it must be recognised that major cities all over the world are growing rapidly, and it is no longer feasible for all businesses to open in the expensive downtown core. When the suburbs become too expensive companies will set up in cheaper cities or countries. When I was a boy, cheap toys were manufactured in Japan or Hong Kong.. now to much less degrees as those places become expensive to operate. Who in their right mind would try and set up a manufacturing business in the expensive downtown core of a city when the cheaper suburbs beckon? Compare how large cities are today compared to in 1960. I think you will find that this applies not only to North American cities, but everywhere as it just makes common business sense.

I don't think there is a flight of businesses from the core to the outlying areas. HSBC has a secondary campus on Kowloon (Olympic MTR) but their core operations are still on Hong Kong Island. The cheaper locations are geared towards smaller businesses that otherwise can't afford prime rents in the key districts anyway. For the large companies, they serve as back office and non-core functions .. at least for the ones that haven't been outsourced yet.


But isn't the flight of employment from the core of HK discouraged by the fact that its a special administrative zone with distinct development & business regulations from mainland China. Of course, lots of firms have relocated lower wage employments to Shenzen, etc. But its a different economic structure.

But isn't the flight of employment from the core of HK discouraged by the fact that its a special administrative zone with distinct development & business regulations from mainland China. Of course, lots of firms have relocated lower wage employments to Shenzen, etc. But its a different economic structure.

I never thought of that, but yes, it would definitely discourage freedom of movement.

Kansas City doesn't have an uptown. We have a downtown, a midtown, and the plaza.

Looking north to "Uptown"............




http://img166.imageshack.us/img166/8391/pict6487cs3.jpg (http://imageshack.us)






KGB

Here is a view of upper Manhattan from the 125th St Station of Metro North North RR.

http://www.subwaynut.com/mnr/125th/125th14.jpg
http://www.subwaynut.com/mnr/125th/125th15.jpg
http://www.subwaynut.com/mnr/125th/125th19.jpg
http://www.subwaynut.com/mnr/125th/125th6.jpg
http://www.subwaynut.com/mnr/125th/125th12.jpg

My shots of "Uptown" New York.

http://img205.imageshack.us/img205/8986/gatesredeux002az0.jpg

http://img205.imageshack.us/img205/7983/gatesredeux003zh8.jpg

http://img218.imageshack.us/img218/4801/gatesredeux006qr2.jpg

was that last one a suicide note?

Looks like it :eek:

I've never been to uptown NY but I didn't know that they have an elevated commuter rail in that part of town.

http://gdc-homes.com/resources/2629/Scarsd-CP_0160-w.jpg
http://scarsdalechamber.org/images/stories/chamber/harwood.jpg

What are the exactly characteristics of an uptown? is it an industrial neighbourhood? a low-class area? commercial? run-down district? middle class? near the downtown or in the right opposite of it, geographcially speaking?


I think an uptown is an area that was built away from downtown that became like a "downtown" but was newer and more "up"
if that makes any sense?

Vancouver's uptown would probably be the broadway corridor

http://www.westreal.com/Office/off_718.jpg

http://www.travelwithachallenge.com/Images/Travel_Article_Library/Vancouver/Granville-Island/False-Creek-South.jpg

I can't really find any "overall" shots since there is no dramatic mountainous backdrop behind it and no one tkes pics of it

but it looks great when crossing into it from the granville or cambie bridges

There are still a large section of el in the upper stretches of Manhattan. I passed through it on my way back to Columbia U from the Cloisters.

But isn't the flight of employment from the core of HK discouraged by the fact that its a special administrative zone with distinct development & business regulations from mainland China. Of course, lots of firms have relocated lower wage employments to Shenzen, etc. But its a different economic structure.
Lower-skilled industries move to China and not to cheaper districts elsewhere in Hong Kong. Hence, the fact that HK is a special admin. region does not alter the business reality of a changing economic structure. If it is cheaper to locate in China, a HK office or factory can still move.

Lower-skilled industries move to China and not to cheaper districts elsewhere in Hong Kong. Hence, the fact that HK is a special admin. region does not alter the business reality of a changing economic structure. If it is cheaper to locate in China, a HK office or factory can still move.

But that is the whole point, hkskyline.. business's all over the world move to
cheaper areas when land costs skyrocket. This is not just a situation in North America.

But that is the whole point, hkskyline.. business's all over the world move to
cheaper areas when land costs skyrocket. This is not just a situation in North America.Exactly, hence Hong Kong's special status in China does not impede or encourage business activity outside the realm of regular economics.

Here's a neighborhood in Ithaca, NY which is actually up a steep hill from downtown. I grew up in this area, fun place. Sorry, not the best pic(and don't make fun, it's a small town :D ).

http://img329.imageshack.us/img329/5769/ith74339yk.jpg

:)

^ looks like a great town to grow up in! :)

^Thanks T,B. It was a great town to grow up in. :)

My favorite Uptown has to be Chicago's. It just has a cool feel.

Are we not in fact talking about Edge cities here? The classic case being in DC.


From Wikipedia:
Edge city is an American term for a relatively new concentration of business, shopping and entertainment outside a traditional urban area, in what had recently been a residential suburb or semi-rural community. The term was popularized in a 1991 book of that title by American writer Joel Garreau, who invented it while working as a reporter for the Washington Post. Garreau argues that the edge city has become the standard form of urban growth worldwide, representing a 20th-century urban form, as distinct from the 19th-century version of the central downtown.

I don't think Uptown always has to mean "up" as in the direction. It's just an easy opposite of "down"town. Downtowns have always stood for the main business district of the city, the main cultural areas, businesses, commerce, retail, transit. Uptowns developed decades ago as cities grew large and it got to be a hassle for people living away from downtown to always make their way to the downtown area.

These areas developed as new, smaller areas of commerce, culture and retail. They were nice and new and gave people living farther away (north, south, east, west) of town a second choice as opposed to going downtown.

"Downtown", "Midtown" and "Uptown" I believe all grew out of NYC. In NYC, "downtown" really is down-town. Midtown really is in the middle of town, and uptown really is "up"-town when looking at the tall skinny island that goes from north to south.

There aren't many other cities where "downtown" really means everyone goes "down" to get there. In most cities you can either go down, up, east, west, over whatever to get "downtown". It's just a word that developed from NYC. It would be easier if we had the European way of calling it the "City Center". The same with Uptowns, they don't HAVE to be "up" from downtown as far as I'm concerned.

They're just pre-war secondary cores of major cities.
For that, downtown Brooklyn and Staten Island are actually in the northern parts of those borroughs, though it probably b/c they are close to Manhattan.

My favorite Uptown has to be Chicago's. It just has a cool feel.

It's only recently with the gentrification that Chicago's Uptown has started to become considered more of a cool place to live. Several decades ago, Uptown suffered from such a literally poor reputation that the northern end of the neighborhood seperated itself out, becoming Edgewater.

uptown=urban areas