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
Architects | Jan 13, 2016
‘Socially engaged’ architect Alejandro Aravena named 2016 Pritzker Architecture Prize Laureate
Known for his inventive social housing initiatives in his native Chile, Aravena epitomizes the revival of a more socially engaged architect, the Pritzker jury stated.
Architects | Jan 12, 2016
Dear Architecture: It's time to create a level field for female designers
If architecture took one moment to be introspective, it would discover appalling imbalances between the opportunities for women and men, as Perkins+Will's Vershaé Hite and Brittany Eaker-Kirkland wrote in an open letter.
Great Solutions | Jan 6, 2016
Shepley Bulfinch develops elegant design solution to address behavioral issues in emergency departments
ED scheme allows staff to isolate unruly patients and visitors in a secure area.
Market Data | Jan 5, 2016
Majority of AEC firms saw growth in 2015, remain optimistic for 2016: BD+C survey
By all indications, 2015 was another solid year for U.S. architecture, engineering, and construction firms.
Architects | Jan 5, 2016
Potential vs. credential: How men and women differ in career progress
Recent research suggests that women face yet another career impediment: the confidence gap.
Architects | Dec 17, 2015
Capturing utilization and activity data in the workplace
While utilization is an important metric to inform how frequently a space is used, it’s important to consider activity data.
Architects | Dec 17, 2015
Four winners named in NYC sidewalk shed competition
Firms in the Construction Shed Design Competition made designs that are simple to build and use readily-available materials.
Architects | Dec 16, 2015
Lohan Anderson to close, join Wight & Co.
Dirk Lohan, Floyd Anderson and eight others will be hired by the Illinois-based Wight & Co. next month.
Architects | Dec 16, 2015
Architects create commission for diversity advancement
The 20-member group will assess recent data, set a plan of action, and report on results to the AIA Board of Directors.
Architects | Dec 15, 2015
ULI names Lord Richard Rogers the 2015 J.C. Nichols Prize winner
Rogers, Founder of Rogers Stirk Harbour + Partners, works on projects that “shine a spotlight on the challenges that people in urban areas are facing."