People flock to different cities for a variety of different reasons. If they want a city with Southern charm, perhaps they’ll hit up Charleston or Savannah; if they want a city with a sprawling feel and plenty of urban outdoor space, they might check out Los Angeles. Chicago is renowned for its architecture; New York City is a worldwide cultural epicenter; Portland, Oregon and Maine are up-and-coming for young professionals; and Midwestern metro areas have a reputation for being friendly.
So why do people come to, and plant roots in, Boston? Is it its prestigious higher-ed institutions? Perhaps its the championship-caliber sports teams? A new survey done by collaborative design firm Sasaki Associates has the answer.
Sasaki surveyed 1,000 people in the major metropolitan areas of Austin, Boston, Chicago, New York, San Francisco, and Washington D.C. and asked them what they love and what they find abhorrent about their respective cities based on four categories: architecture, activities, parks and open space, and transportation.
Sasaki also posed to them what their personal outlook is for staying in a city long-term.
The results were compiled into a report aptly called “The State of the City Experience,” the primary purpose of which is to examine and possibly infer what exactly it is that drives people to urban areas in specified regions of the country.
One aspect everyone has in common, though, when looking for their next municipal adventure is food. According to the survey, 82 percent of participants appreciate their city’s eateries and watering holes and 46 percent went on to note that a new restaurant is the primary reason they’d venture to a new city.
That sentiment very much rings true here in Boston where 59 percent of residents are likely to be enthralled by the opening of a new establishment, whereas in food service-saturated cities like New York City, for example, the same is true for only 34 percent.
As for Boston specifically, the survey seemed to pinpoint everything Mayor Walsh’s administration is endeavoring to afford residents citywide.
A solid 63 percent of Bostonians have an affinity for historic architecture and timeless structures, of which we have an abundance, and 51 percent want more community-driven activities like farmer’s markets, swap meets and food trucks.
“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.”
Continues the report, “Bostonians would also like to see the city invest in making the waterfront more accessible and appealing, despite Boston’s recent investment in the waterfront.” It’s a good thing Mayor Walsh, Boston Harbor Cruises and the Fallon Company have launched the Cultural Connector, a shuttle that will transport visitors to different cultural highlights of the city throughout the day.
Bolstering that notion is the fact that Bostonians are least satisfied with our parks and public spaces, though areas like the Rose Kennedy Greenway are helping to tie together this demand for improved parks and the city’s fondness for innovation. By approaching the issue from multiple fronts – creating a confluence of public art, technological innovation and traditional, natural garden space – Boston’s woes are sure to be tempered.
Just as binding to our national identity is our collective foodie affection is our contempt for traffic.
Overall, 41 percent conveyed that traffic is what frustrates them the most, followed by not enough parking (23 percent) and poor public transportation (14 percent).
A number of apps and startups have made waves through Boston as of late, attempting to curtail the city’s infamous traffic congestion.
While rampant problems like traffic often open the door for change and advantageous innovation, some apps have been less-well received than others. Still, it’s important to consider that all are taking steps in the right direction.
In the end, the survey results indicate that despite the numerous follies and frustrations of the participants’ city, they’re not likely to uproot themselves any time soon. Sixty 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.
What do you think? Does Sasaki’s survey mirror your feelings about Boston and other cities? Let us know your thoughts and ideas in the comments section below.
