Atlanta, GA: Truly World Class?

[LSyd]

like aubie said, we've been through this before;

there's a list, a very good list of "what a world city is," that breaks them down in tiers.

1st tiers in the U.S. are NYC, LA and Chicago. i think Atlanta was 2nd or 3rd...

then there's also "emerging world cities" listed, for example, Glasgow and Budapest.

so, whatever. in Atlanta's defense of being "world class," i will say that it's contributed a lot to pop-hip-hop culture.

so to answer your question, yes, there's a lot of difference between Atlanta and Charlotte city-wise.

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[Labtec]

ExYankee, closet atlanta lover? Since he posts so much about our city.

[AubieTurtle]

Heckles finally came out of the closet over at SSP, maybe exyankee will eventually do the same here.

[Third of a kind]

why are there always so many comparisons made in threads like this?

can't Atlanta be on the Level of Atlanta?

atl is a chill place

[AintNoWay88]

Originally Posted by TheBrad

I don't understand why this thread was started either - besides the fact it has been covered many times.

Atlanta is still an emerging national city, with it's roots being regional. No, I don't think the city is 'world class' - & I have to admit I don't care too much...

Ah... I think you ment atl is an Emerged!!! national city, and a Emerging world city.

[SkyscraperBuilder]

Atlanta is very much an International city.
Come on The Brad, where are you from?

[atlrvr]

I would have said world-class until Uppity-Brent said so too.....how can I agree now? Just kidding. Keep building those skyscrapers.

[Stratosphere 2020]

Originally Posted by gwiATLeman

The fact that you constantly post about Atlanta says that you must care quite a bit.

So thanks for caring

I agree,

[lokinyc]

If it isn't world class then it's all the more amazing how Atlanta flexes its business and culture muscles around the world, from music to television and entertainment.

[teshadoh]

I don't consider name recognition as being a qualifier for 'world class', if that was the case Timbuktu is as significant as Paris. My qualifier is how to define the regional influence on a city - as an example, does the region define the city, do the residents of the city represent the region, or does the arts of the city represent the region. Many of those answers for Atlanta would be that the southeast influences much of Atlanta. But there are many qualifiers that Atlanta is a national city, that the city is influenced greatly by various national influencers. Lastly there are international influencers on Atlanta - but it isn't too remarkable yet. But those are just some examples.

Of course - you could say any town or city has international, national or regional influencers, there are always Chinese restuarants, national chains or regional services. But what is the most significant influencer - which explains why New York City is considered an international city, besides being 'cosmopolitan'. But when I think of Atlanta, in many ways I still see it as a regional city, but it is more nationally influenced (or it influences nationally more) than most other southeastern cities. Since we're talking about Charlotte as well (that was the implied meaning of the thread since it was started by a Charlottean), I would say Charlotte is a surprising case for a city with growing national influences.

But I also might be full of bull shit

[mvasquez]

How much of a factor is wielding global influence when considering if a city is world class?

On the same note, here is a question...

Between Chicago and Atlanta, which city has more national influence? Global influence?

[louisianacharm]

^ugghhhh, please dont start that.......

chicago wins overall

[teshadoh]

Originally Posted by mvasquez

How much of a factor is wielding global influence when considering if a city is world class?

On the same note, here is a question...

Between Chicago and Atlanta, which city has more national influence? Global influence?

That is a good way of thinking about it, Chicago does have a greater national & global influence. Or even there is a greater national & global influence on Chicago.

[SkyHigh529]

Atlanta is not yet a world class cultural city (Paris,San Francisco), but I think Atlanta has earned its mark as a tier two or three world class business city.

[micropundit]

Originally Posted by SkyHigh529

Atlanta is not yet a world class cultural city (Paris,San Francisco), but I think Atlanta has earned its mark as a tier two or three world class business city.

It will be interesting to see who the Woodruff Arts Center chooses to replace Sanford Stanfill,who is leaving"to pursue other interests".The selection will signal which way Atlanta will continue its pursuit of of world class cultural status.That individual is going to have to raise the balance of the funds -$150 million-to complete Symphony Center and the funds for the conversion of the current Symphony Hall to the Lyric Opera .(And fill them up with happy campers.)

[AubieTurtle]

The High has a pretty good reputation on its own. Given its new connection with the Louve, the expansion, and the potential for greatness with the Symphony Hall, I imagine they will be able to attract some big names in the field to apply for the job.

[jjbradleynyc]

Atlanta's hardly "world class" as a whole. However, it does boast some "world class" facilities, including the amazing airport, Hartsfield International. It is still very much a rather small-minded city in terms of overall diversity, acceptance, culture, and attitude. The downtown is rather scary, and a bit dead after 6pm and most wknds.

Atlanta has to tame its sprawl, educated its citizens towards more open-mindedness, and at the same time, develop its inner core city. Then and only then, can it move towards a "world class" title.

[SkyHigh529]

Originally Posted by jjbradleynyc

Atlanta's hardly "world class" as a whole. However, it does boast some "world class" facilities, including the amazing airport, Hartsfield International. It is still very much a rather small-minded city in terms of overall diversity, acceptance, culture, and attitude. The downtown is rather scary, and a bit dead after 6pm and most wknds.

Atlanta has to tame its sprawl, educated its citizens towards more open-mindedness, and at the same time, develop its inner core city. Then and only then, can it move towards a "world class" title.

I disagree with your opinion that Atlanta is a "small-minded city in terms of overall diversity, acceptance, culture, and attitude." Your description seems to be more a stereotype based on Atlanta's geographic location (South) than an accurate portrayal of the culture, diversity, and people who make up Atlanta today. I do agree that downtown is a little scary and pretty damn dead at night, although that is changing quickly. I also agree with you on the sprawl in the suburbs, however, there are already numerous projects and plans on the drawing board that are as we speak developing the inner core city.

[jjbradleynyc]

Originally Posted by SkyHigh529

I disagree with your opinion that Atlanta is a "small-minded city in terms of overall diversity, acceptance, culture, and attitude." Your description seems to be more a stereotype based on Atlanta's geographic location (South) than an accurate portrayal of the culture, diversity, and people who make up Atlanta today. I do agree that downtown is a little scary and pretty damn dead at night, although that is changing quickly. I also agree with you on the sprawl in the suburbs, however, there are already numerous projects and plans on the drawing board that are as we speak developing the inner core city.

As much as I would like to give "kudos" to Atlanta for its diversity and acceptance, I simply can't. I lived in Atlanta for almost 3 years--both in the suburbs (Marietta and Alpharetta) and downtown (Peachtree and Marietta Streets)--and althought the midtown portion of Atlanta strives to keep a thriving gay community and diversified community alive, elsewhere in the city and suburbs, god forbid if you are gay (@ least openly), non-white color skin, or have interests in anything other than nascar or college football.

There are pockets of progress in Atlanta--East Atlanta, Midtown (as mentioned), Virginia Highlands, maybe Little Five Points, but overall the whole area is very backward in their attitudes, acceptance, and progression towards "world class."

[SkyHigh529]

Originally Posted by jjbradleynyc

Atlanta strives to keep a thriving gay community and diversified community alive, elsewhere in the city and suburbs, god forbid if you are gay (@ least openly), non-white color skin, or have interests in anything other than nascar or college football.... maybe Little Five Points, but overall the whole area is very backward in their attitudes, acceptance, and progression towards "world class."

Little Five Points, if anything, is one of the most progressive areas of town, so its not a maybe. No offense, but I think your views are pretty unfair and hyper-general, focusing more on the culture of Georgia and not Atlanta or even Metro-Atlanta. And as far as your gay comment goes, Atlanta has one of the highest gays per capita in the country, so it is fairly unfounded. ANd I see plenty of openly gay people in the suburbs.