A new study released by planning and design firm Sasaki Associates has found that food is a major driver of the American urban experience: 82 percent of urbanites appreciate their city’s culinary offerings, and a new restaurant is the top reason the majority of them (46 percent) would venture to a new part of their city. This is compared to 25 percent of people who are incentivized by a new store and 16 percent by a sporting event.
These preferences vary by region, however, with Bostonians most likely to be enticed by a new restaurant (59 percent) versus New Yorkers (34 percent), whose apparent abundance of choice ranked them lowest on this question. And the majority of people (41 percent) consider food and restaurants to be the most outstanding aspect of cities they love to visit.
Working with an independent research firm, Sasaki developed “The State of the City Experience,” which surveyed 1,000 people living and working in one of six cities: Boston, New York, San Francisco, Chicago, Austin, and Washington DC. The findings—and Sasaki’s insights—related to architecture, activities, parks, and transportation have major implications for cities, planners, and designers.
Beyond food, respondents also enjoy consumer activities such as shopping and going out to eat (56 percent) the most, followed by programmed events such as farmer’s markets, outdoor concerts and food trucks (45 percent). And they want more: 46 percent of respondents said they want their cities to invest in more community-focused events and attractions such as farmer’s markets, swap meets, and food trucks for their open spaces.
As for buildings, people love historic structures. When asked what makes a building iconic, most said it was its history (36 percent). And when walking along a downtown street, most people will stop to admire buildings that are historic (57 percent), versus those featuring public art, modern design, or their city’s tallest buildings.Regionally, Bostonians are the biggest admirers of historic buildings (63 percent), while San Franciscans are more likely to be attracted to buildings that prominently feature public art or very unique design elements (47 percent). Residents of Chicago, which has the nation’s tallest building, are more likely to admire skyscrapers (23 percent).
To improve their city’s architectural character, more than half of respondents (54 percent) would like to see their city renovating historical buildings, compared with22 percent who would like more unusual architecture.
“While those surveyed were unimpressed with modern architecture, we believe it is because today’s contemporary buildings tend to prioritize quantity and speed over quality and mission,” said Sasaki principal Victor Vizgaitis, AIA. “As planners and designers, our job is to understand what people want and balance these desires with the big picture—economic realities, cultural needs, environmental concerns, and design opportunities—ultimately helping to shape a more satisfying and sustainable urban experience.”
When it comes to the built environment, shared public spaces rule the day. Most people remember their favorite city experience taking place in a park or on a street (65 percent) compared to just 22 percent who said that special moment occurred in a private building. This is especially true among New Yorkers.
Reflecting a national trend of cities reclaiming their waterfronts, areas along rivers, lakes, or the ocean are the most popular open spaces across the country (47 percent) compared to 14 percent who prefer small urban parks or 8 percent who like their city’s trail systems.
So, what do Americans hate the most about their cities? Traffic. Overall, 41 percent percent say it’s what frustrates them the most, followed by not enough parking (23 percent) and poor public transportation (14 percent). This provides great opportunity for new technologies to rethink how vehicles can be used more effectively by urbanites, both in terms of commuting and sustainability.
Despite transportation frustrations, 60 percent of city dwellers plan to stay put in the next five years, either living where they do now or in a different part of the city.
The infographic below summarizes key findings. For the full report: www.sasaki.com/greatcity
Methodology
Sasaki commissioned independent research firm Equation Research to survey 1,000 people who live across six cities: Austin, Boston, Chicago, New York, San Francisco, and Washington DC. The study was conducted in May 2014.
About Sasaki
Collaboration is one of today's biggest buzzwords—but at Sasaki, it's at the core of what we do. We see it not just as a working style, but as one of the fundamentals of innovation. Our practice comprises architecture, interior design, planning, urban design, landscape architecture, graphic design, and civil engineering, as well as financial planning and software development. Among these disciplines, we collaborate in equilibrium. From our headquarters in Watertown, Massachusetts, we work locally, nationally, and globally. For more information about Sasaki, please visit: http://www.sasaki.com.
Related Stories
Sponsored | Reconstruction & Renovation | Jan 25, 2022
Concrete buildings: Effective solutions for restorations and major repairs
Architectural concrete as we know it today was invented in the 19th century. It reached new heights in the U.S. after World War II when mid-century modernism was in vogue, following in the footsteps of a European aesthetic that expressed structure and permanent surfaces through this exposed material. Concrete was treated as a monolithic miracle, waterproof and structurally and visually versatile.
Urban Planning | Jan 25, 2022
Retooling innovation districts for medium-sized cities
This type of development isn’t just about innovation or lab space; and it’s not just universities or research institutions that are driving this change.
Sponsored | Resiliency | Jan 24, 2022
Norshield Products Fortify Critical NYC Infrastructure
New York City has two very large buildings dedicated to answering the 911 calls of its five boroughs. With more than 11 million emergency calls annually, it makes perfect sense. The second of these buildings, the Public Safety Answering Center II (PSAC II) is located on a nine-acre parcel of land in the Bronx. It’s an imposing 450,000 square-foot structure—a 240-foot-wide by 240-foot-tall cube. The gleaming aluminum cube risesthe equivalent of 24 stories from behind a grassy berm, projecting the unlikely impression that it might actually be floating. Like most visually striking structures, the building has drawn as much scorn as it has admiration.
Sponsored | Resiliency | Jan 24, 2022
Blast Hazard Mitigation: Building Openings for Greater Safety and Security
Coronavirus | Jan 20, 2022
Advances and challenges in improving indoor air quality in commercial buildings
Michael Dreidger, CEO of IAQ tech startup Airsset speaks with BD+C's John Caulfield about how building owners and property managers can improve their buildings' air quality.
Architects | Jan 17, 2022
OSPORTS adds Robert Hayes to lead operational and business development efforts
Hayes will guide the OSPORTS organization in its mission to offer a unique perspective to designing world-class facilities.
Architects | Jan 13, 2022
Hollywood is now the Stream Factory
Insatiable demand for original content, and its availability on a growing number of streaming platforms, have created shortages — and opportunities — for new sound stages.
Architects | Jan 13, 2022
Robert Eisenstat and Paul Mankins receive 2022 AIA Award for Excellence in Public Architecture
The award recognizes architects, public officials, or other individuals who design distinguished public facilities and advocate for design excellence.
3D Printing | Jan 12, 2022
Using 3D-printed molds to create unitized window forms
COOKFOX designer Pam Campbell and Gate Precast's Mo Wright discuss the use of 3D-printed molds from Oak Ridge National Lab to create unitized window panels for One South First, a residential-commercial high-rise in Brooklyn, N.Y.
Engineers | Jan 12, 2022
Private equity: An increasingly attractive alternative for AEC firm sellers
Private equity firms active in the AEC sector work quietly in the background to partner with management, hold for longer periods, and build a win-win for investors and the firm. At a minimum, AEC firms contemplating ownership transition should consider private equity as a viable option. Here is why.