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The Culture of Great Cities

Great cities, rich, vibrant cities, work to a different rhythm to the rest. They think on a much grander scale, they build and grow accordingly. They maximise development intensity, population levels and the number of opportunities to generate wealth or derive an income. They provide the best in amenity, culture and quality of life.

What makes these cities consistently unique, exciting and popular however are not their convention centres, big business and chain stores, though of course they have an abundance of these, rather, it is their incredibly grand scale when it comes to offering variety, choice and quality of life. They are extremely creative.

They provide great Metropolitan experiences – through the diversity and richness of business, food, culture, housing, architecture, and their communities. Milan, Toronto, San Francisco - Liverpool?

Diversity is the lifeblood of great cities and so they foster as much of this as possible. They are business friendly and encourage entrepreneurial culture to flourish.

Vitally, they understand that it is the niche market, specialist professional and other services which feeds continued business growth within, and ultimately, greater investment from outside, from those wishing to join the throng, not the other way round!

Intensity and mix of development is central to enabling this urban dynamic to be unleashed and so land is utilised efficiently, buildings are bigger and planning is more fluid, designed to maximise opportunity and contact.

They have great streets – and appreciate them!

Their policy makers are dedicated and enthusiastic urbanists and entrepreneurs.

City living is comfortable. Amenity in public services, public realm, culture and leisure are valued as central to quality of life. They are about people.

Most importantly, at their heart, enabling and pulling it all together is a great Downtown.

© 2005 Downtown Liverpool Organisation