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Thomas de Groot <tenDOTlnDOTretniATtoorgedDOTt> wrote:
> John's comments made me muse about what makes a city look *American* or
> not. Obviously, the conglomerate of high-rising skyscrapers is iconic in
> films and advertisements, and is easiest to model as a start towards
> more complex cities. Still, what makes a city *European* or *Asian*,
> starting from the same modern downtown concept: what makes Rotterdam
> different from London or Shanghai? Or Lagos for that matter?
Street plan geometry, architectural styles, famous landmarks... But in general,
I can't tell the difference between eastern, middle eastern, european or
american downtown areas, unless there is a landmark I recognise. Modern
metal-and-glass seem to follow similar ranges of design. It's the older
districts that really give up the clues.
> [I have more than a passing interest in architecture and urbanism by the
> way...]
I've always found architecture fascinating, although I know almost nothing about
it. I expect your insights will be of great use to me!
Bill
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On 24-1-2012 15:42, Bill Pragnell wrote:
> Thomas de Groot<tenDOTlnDOTretniATtoorgedDOTt> wrote:
>> John's comments made me muse about what makes a city look *American* or
>> not. Obviously, the conglomerate of high-rising skyscrapers is iconic in
>> films and advertisements, and is easiest to model as a start towards
>> more complex cities. Still, what makes a city *European* or *Asian*,
>> starting from the same modern downtown concept: what makes Rotterdam
>> different from London or Shanghai? Or Lagos for that matter?
>
> Street plan geometry, architectural styles, famous landmarks... But in general,
> I can't tell the difference between eastern, middle eastern, european or
> american downtown areas, unless there is a landmark I recognise. Modern
> metal-and-glass seem to follow similar ranges of design. It's the older
> districts that really give up the clues.
Yes, I think you are right. I have come to the same conclusion.
>
>> [I have more than a passing interest in architecture and urbanism by the
>> way...]
>
> I've always found architecture fascinating, although I know almost nothing about
> it. I expect your insights will be of great use to me!
Don't expect too much :-) I am a dilettante myself, but I like to read
books about the matter and observe the world.
Thomas
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