  Futurecity Member Username: Futurecity Post Number: 514 Registered: 05-2005 |
I know it's not apples to apples, but if Jersey City can, we can too... Model of urban future: Jersey City? By Todd Plitt, USA TODAY JERSEY CITY — Once, this was a city of browns and grays. Railroads owned a third of the land, and trains rumbled night and day to the cacophonous riverfront. Factories belched fumes and leaked chemicals. "Nobody cared," says Bob Leach, born here in 1937. "Smoke meant jobs." And those were the good years. Then, in the 1960s, the railroads went broke. Rail yards were abandoned, piers rotted, factories closed. In the 1970s alone, the city lost 14% of its population and about 9% of its jobs. Now Jersey City has come back as its own antithesis: clean, green and growing — an example, urban planners say, of how the nation can accommodate some of the additional 100 million Americans expected by 2040 without paving over every farm, forest and meadow. Jersey City, a model of smart growth? Even Robert Cotter, the city's planning director, says he was surprised by the notion. But because so many people here live in apartments or attached houses located near shops, offices and mass transit, they require less land, gasoline, heating oil, water, sewer pipe and other finite resources. Smart Growth America, an advocacy group that ranks the largest metro areas by sprawl, says Jersey City is the second "least sprawling," trailing only New York City. It's part of a remarkable demographic and economic U-turn. In a region where many cities are shrinking, Jersey City in the last quarter-century has gained about 30,000 residents, 27,000 jobs and 18 million square feet of prime office space — more than all such space in downtown Atlanta, Phoenix or Miami. Another 8,000 housing units are being built, and permits have been issued for 10,000 more. With tens of thousands more homes planned over the next 25 years, Jersey City — given up for dead 30 years ago — could pass its 1930 population peak of 316,700. Once written off by the rest of the nation as another Rust Belt failure, Jersey City is now seen as instructional. Lots more good stuff in the full article... http://www.usatoday.com/news/n ation/2007-04-15-jersey-city_N .htm?csp=34 | ||
Detroitplanner Member Username: Detroitplanner Post Number: 1194 Registered: 04-2006 |
Yes all Detroit needs to do is be located within commuting distance of Manhattan and its problems would be solved! The only thing Jersey City has for it is that prices in Brooklyn and Harlem are going through the roof and people have to be able to find an affordable alternative somewhere. Here is what you did not quote: "How is Jersey City doing it? Observers such as Lang, Jogodnik and James Hughes, dean of Rutgers University's school of planning, identify several elements in the city's reversal of fortune: •Proximity to New York. Hughes calls Jersey City "almost a sixth borough of New York." Mayor Jeremiah Healy calls the waterfront "Wall Street West." The city is a short trip across the Hudson River from Manhattan, but its building and real estate costs are one-half to one-third of Manhattan's. This has attracted companies such as Citigroup, Merrill Lynch and Goldman Sachs, and thousands of residents who cross the Hudson to work." - Location, Location, Location! "•Mass transit and infrastructure. Unlike Sun Belt cities that must build new transportation and water lines to accommodate growth, Jersey City is rich in basic infrastructure that was designed when the city was more populous than it is now." - note Detroit could use this as an advantage. "•Immigrants. Thirty-seven percent of Jersey City residents are foreign-born, compared with 12% of all Americans. From 1970 to 1980, foreign-born residents jumped 45%, an increase nine times the city's population growth rate. Dozens of different languages are spoken here, and the city is home to one of the largest Arab Muslim communities in the nation." - Since we lack jobs we are less attractive to immigrants. | ||
Royce Member Username: Royce Post Number: 2189 Registered: 07-2004 |
From a climate perspective, Detroit would do well to attract Chinese willing to come to this country because much of China has the same humid continental climate as Detroit. (Message edited by royce on April 16, 2007) | ||
Njmikey Member Username: Njmikey Post Number: 56 Registered: 04-2005 |
I live in Nearby Hoboken and have considered moving to Jersey City because of the rising rent. Hoboken was the first Hudson County city to be gentrified. Most around here say that sections of Jersey City are next. Keep in mind there are many areas of Jersey City that are not safe to walk at night. Mass transit and proximity to NY make these Hudson county cities rebound though. http://www.panynj.gov/Commutin gTravel/path/html/map.html http://www.mylightrail.com/ind ex.php?option=com_hblr&task=st ations&Itemid=90 http://www.njtransit.com/image s/railmap06.jpg | ||
Iheartthed Member Username: Iheartthed Post Number: 626 Registered: 04-2006 |
Jersey City's key to success is the PATH train. You can't beat a 15 minute commute to lower Manhattan and a 25 minute commute to midtown Manhattan even from many places in Manhattan... Edit: And it's just a bit disingenuous for the article not to acknowledge that at all. Edit again: Disregard 1st edit, I skimmed more of the article. Still stands, they make it seem as if there is more to it's success than it's location. (Message edited by iheartthed on April 17, 2007) (Message edited by iheartthed on April 17, 2007) | ||
Dbest Member Username: Dbest Post Number: 6 Registered: 03-2007 |
Hard to compare Jersey City to Detroit, Few things about Jersey City that are neat though, of course the NY/NJ transit line going under the hudson is cool and last time i went to Manhattan I stayed at a hotel in downtown Jersey City within walking distance of the station and saved a ton of money by staying there(doubt i'm only one to do so) and they have amtrack ground rail to shuttle people to there apartments/condos in there downtown, Outside of the downtown the city has very little to offer and if you drive thru it youd relize that. There little downtown is nice though with its newer high rise offices and condos. BTW some of the best views of manhattan at night from across the hudson river. | ||
Futurecity Member Username: Futurecity Post Number: 515 Registered: 05-2005 |
Some important things in the article that Detroit can learn from. Their winning formula included: 1. Infill development 2. Focus on transit (40% use it to commute + 9% walk to work!) 3. Political reforms to lure jobs | ||
Danny Member Username: Danny Post Number: 5809 Registered: 02-2004 |
Unfortunately we folks in Detroit are not like the folks in Jersey City. Jersey city is like the Pontiac of New York City. It has its ghettos cheap housing and gentrified communities. New Jersey legislature used political tactics from New Yorkers to lure po-folks and immigrants to their state through higher job demands. For the corporate folks in New York City want to make their inner city, "the nouveau riche" metropolis and keep the gangs, po'folks, mole people and rats out! | ||
Quozl Member Username: Quozl Post Number: 439 Registered: 07-2005 |
Detroit is more like Camden, NJ than Jersey City. If GM or Ford marketed a car that was ranked "most dangerous car in America," whether it was true or not, that brand would be yanked. If that car stayed on the market and was ranked most dangerous a second year, the entire management board would be yanked. It may be said that a car is not a proper analogy, but from a marketing perspective it is certainly correct. All cities maintain a perpetual marketing mode. Growth and progress is greatly dependent upon it. Who would buy a car labeled most dangerous in America two years in a row? "Detroit" as a brand cannot be marketed anymore either, it is known worldwide as a dangerous city with more than its share of violent crime. Detroit needs nothing less than an urban version of the Manhattan Project, with all the necessary intellectual breakthroughs implied. The first mental hurdle to overcome, easier said than done with so much money, heart and soul, blood sweat and tears invested is to bury the name. If people can bury their loved ones, they can bury a name. The second mental hurdle is to address the question: Is the "City of Detroit" even necessary? If so, for what? An honest examination may lead to the conclusion that the City of Detroit is not necessary. Breaking up the City of Detroit into smaller cities is a viable option that needs to be examined. No one can say with a straight face that Detroit City Government has been effective in addressing neighborhood problems to the satisfaction of the residents still hanging on. Black flight over the past 5 years has replaced the white flight of 20-30 years ago. (Message edited by quozl on April 17, 2007) (Message edited by quozl on April 17, 2007) | ||
Danindc Member Username: Danindc Post Number: 2366 Registered: 10-2003 |
^^^Wow, I'm confused. No one buys a car because of the "brand", but whether or not because they like it and it suits their needs. Similarly, nobody moves to a city because of its "marketing", but whether or not it's a suitable place to live. I'd like to think that Detroit is more than a slick PR campaign--reality counts for quite a bit. And if breaking up the City of Detroit is so viable, why study it? Sounds like you're already convinced that changing the name is somehow going to fix deep-rooted problems. It doesn't matter what you call the place--call it "New Chicago" for all I care. That doesn't mean people, money, and jobs are going to flock to Detroit. | ||
Iheartthed Member Username: Iheartthed Post Number: 634 Registered: 04-2006 |
Break up the city? Change the name? We're talking about a major, world-reknown municipality here, not Arthur Andersen... | ||
Quozl Member Username: Quozl Post Number: 440 Registered: 07-2005 |
Never did I write that Detroit needs a slick PR campaign. FBI crime stats, unemployment stats, High School graduation rates and the like are the "marketing" of what I speak of Danny boy. Rosedale, Grandmont, even Warrendale and Blightmore may fare better if they governed themselves as incorporated communities than being part of the City of Detroit. I agree, you are one confused person Danindc. Try a Sylvan Course in Reading Comprehension 101, it may help. They have many learning centers in Washington, DC mister know-it-all. (Message edited by quozl on April 17, 2007) | ||
Danindc Member Username: Danindc Post Number: 2367 Registered: 10-2003 |
^Well, you haven't exactly made your case, Quozl. You're just guessing, so you can dispense with the high-horse attitude. Spend your energy putting together an argument that shows why your idea will work, instead of just hoping that it would. And things like crime, education, and employment? That's not marketing--that's quality of life. Marketing you can change with a slogan. These factors need to be changed through substantive means. | ||
Quozl Member Username: Quozl Post Number: 441 Registered: 07-2005 |
Waste my time and energy "putting together an argument" just for Danindc? Not until you finish your Sylvan Reading Comprehension 101 Course or cease being a condescending know-it-all slob. | ||
Danindc Member Username: Danindc Post Number: 2369 Registered: 10-2003 |
quote: Are you in junior high or something? Run along. | ||
Quozl Member Username: Quozl Post Number: 442 Registered: 07-2005 |
You run along too Danindc, back to your Cleveland Forum for know-it-all condescending slobs. See you there! | ||
Upinottawa Member Username: Upinottawa Post Number: 809 Registered: 09-2005 |
The above is annoying. As for Jersey City's recent string of luck, it would appear that proximity to New York is partially driving its success. As far as the comparison to Detroit is concerned, unfortunately Detroit is Detroit's New York City. | ||
Kslice Member Username: Kslice Post Number: 6 Registered: 04-2007 |
smoke will always mean jobs in Detroit, we've all seen how slow the commercial growth downtown is, if there is any. Industy is the most important part for getting Detroit on it's feet, some dont realize that. | ||
Spiritofdetroit Member Username: Spiritofdetroit Post Number: 393 Registered: 11-2006 |
Dan- Many, many people buy their car based on brand name | ||
Mbr Member Username: Mbr Post Number: 137 Registered: 03-2005 |
Maybe Detroit can learn from St. Louis too. http://www.nytimes.com/2007/04 /17/us/17stlouis.html?em&ex=11 76955200&en=02cbcd98747fc843&e i=5087%0A | ||
220hendrie1910 Member Username: 220hendrie1910 Post Number: 68 Registered: 02-2006 |
Quozl wrote: quote:Ye gods! What part does Detroit play in this analogy, Los Alamos or Hiroshima? Still ticking in Ottawa. | ||
Quozl Member Username: Quozl Post Number: 445 Registered: 07-2005 |
quote: I hope Los Alamos, though Hiroshima is probably closer to the fact... | ||
Upinottawa Member Username: Upinottawa Post Number: 811 Registered: 09-2005 |
Maybe if Detroit had a subway link to Manhattan.... |
