Detroit's World City Status Upgraded

**wolverine** · September-22-11, 06:05 PM

Saw these charts recently circulating the net. Detroit was a gamma city, it's now Beta -

Source GaWC

**Orthophonic** · September-22-11, 06:19 PM

I am drawing a blank on this. Can you explain what the ratings mean? Thanks.

**wolverine** · September-22-11, 06:36 PM

Originally Posted by Orthophonic

I am drawing a blank on this. Can you explain what the ratings mean? Thanks.

To put it simply [[and crudely) it's a city's relevance in the world.

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Global_city

**Detroit Stylin** · September-22-11, 06:20 PM

That is indeed interesting...

**urbanhat** · September-22-11, 06:45 PM

Detroit now outranks Zagreb, awesome. I wonder what changed?

**detroitsgwenivere** · September-22-11, 06:57 PM

The level of ruin porn probably.

**Patrick** · September-22-11, 07:19 PM

7th tier baby!

**Orthophonic** · September-22-11, 07:43 PM

I'm not convinced that Chicago is "Alpha +" - overpriced & overrated in my book. But I could be wrong, as I was once or twice before.

**wolverine** · September-22-11, 08:47 PM

Originally Posted by Orthophonic

I'm not convinced that Chicago is "Alpha +" - overpriced & overrated in my book. But I could be wrong, as I was once or twice before.

How is it overpriced? I live downtown and my yearly expenditures are way down from what they were when I lived in Michigan. Compared to the other cities at the top of the list Chicago is a very affordable place to live for what you receive.

**Orthophonic** · September-22-11, 08:54 PM

Originally Posted by wolverine

How is it overpriced? I live downtown and my yearly expenditures are way down from what they were when I lived in Michigan. Compared to the other cities at the top of the list Chicago is a very affordable place to live for what you receive.

I am only speaking as an infrequent visitor. Gas, food [[i.e., the basics) in my limited experience seemed too high. And don't get me started on the toll roads. However, I am glad you have found it to be affordable.

**wolverine** · September-22-11, 09:08 PM

Originally Posted by Orthophonic

I am only speaking as an infrequent visitor. Gas, food [[i.e., the basics) in my limited experience seemed too high. And don't get me started on the toll roads. However, I am glad you have found it to be affordable.

Oh well I agree then, the toll roads are literally highway robbery.

**noise** · September-22-11, 09:20 PM

Originally Posted by wolverine

Oh well I agree then, the toll roads are literally highway robbery.

The $100 I just paid to park my car for 3 days was a little unpleasant, as well.

**p1acebo** · September-22-11, 09:18 PM

Originally Posted by wolverine

How is it overpriced? I live downtown and my yearly expenditures are way down from what they were when I lived in Michigan. Compared to the other cities at the top of the list Chicago is a very affordable place to live for what you receive.

Chicago is definitely more expensive than Metro Detroit, I don't know where you were living in Michigan so I don't know if it's comparable. However, I have several friends that live in Chicago and I myself have looked at a few places and compared to something equivalent in metro Detroit, Chicago was more expensive. Now, compared to LA, Miami, New York, I bet Chicago has great deals with comparable places.

**iheartthed** · September-23-11, 09:53 AM

Originally Posted by p1acebo

Chicago is definitely more expensive than Metro Detroit, I don't know where you were living in Michigan so I don't know if it's comparable. However, I have several friends that live in Chicago and I myself have looked at a few places and compared to something equivalent in metro Detroit, Chicago was more expensive. Now, compared to LA, Miami, New York, I bet Chicago has great deals with comparable places.

City of Chicago vs. Metro Detroit? Just curious, what in Metro Detroit is comparable to the city of Chicago?

**Islandman** · September-23-11, 10:15 AM

Originally Posted by iheartthed

City of Chicago vs. Metro Detroit? Just curious, what in Metro Detroit is comparable to the city of Chicago?

These type of questions are irrelevant [[sarcasm). Quality of life in a large city is usually expensive, so I think that saying a city is more expensive to live in [[when compared to Detroit) is hiding your head in the sand.

Astronomical insurance rates and property taxes for no services or quality of life don't count.

bartock · September-23-11, 11:24 AM

Originally Posted by iheartthed

City of Chicago vs. Metro Detroit? Just curious, what in Metro Detroit is comparable to the city of Chicago?

They both have roughly the same number of Detroiters living in them.

**dtowncitylover** · September-22-11, 08:45 PM

I'm honored....above Phoenix, Marseille, Lyon, Charlotte...wow ok then....

**English** · September-22-11, 08:59 PM

As soon as I saw this thread, I started rapping...

"He got that ambition, baby!
Look at his eyes!
This week he's moppin' floors, next week it's the fries!"

LOL! It just reminded me of "Golddigger" and Louie Anderson's scene in *Coming to America...*

**GoGrixdale** · September-22-11, 09:04 PM

The ratings represent the intensive globalization ranking of cities.

The research was done by these guys:
http://www.lboro.ac.uk/gawc/

...and I learned a new word 'HinterWorld'.

**BrushStart** · September-22-11, 09:39 PM

I did a comprehensive thread on this exact topic a few months ago, applying the factors to Detroit.

Needless to say, I'm very happy about this upgrade. It is well-deserved in my opinion. Detroit is a major world city with a lot of influence on world affairs.

Also, IMO, Chicago is a top-tier global city. It is incredibly powerful, but it needs to be careful not fall from grace.

**Gsgeorge** · September-22-11, 11:14 PM

Minneapolis beat us?

**Gistok** · September-22-11, 11:44 PM

Originally Posted by Gsgeorge

Minneapolis beat us?

I find these "lists" very subjective... it lists Frankfurt Germany [[Pop. 620,000... less than Detroit) as an Alpha city. Granted it is the transportation and banking center of Germany... but in the way of culture [[museums, sights, culture) it is far below Berlin and Munich. And yet Berlin [[Pop. 3.5 million) is a Beta City... as is Rome.... WTF??

Steve bennet · September-23-11, 05:10 AM

Lol @ Detroit being ranked better than Pittsburgh.

Steve bennet · September-23-11, 05:12 AM

And Austin. I'm sure people in Austin wish they lived in Detroit.

**Gistok** · September-23-11, 09:13 AM

Originally Posted by Steve bennet

And Austin. I'm sure people in Austin wish they lived in Detroit.

I always thought of Austin as "Lansing on steroids"... with a few tractor pulls... and Willie Nelson as their patron saint... I guess as with Detroit.... generalizations can be misleading...