I have a question. What makes a city great? When you visit a new city and its different from where you live what are the things you love about it and why?
For me to connect with a city it not just the building and the people but also how it fits in with the surrounding nature and ecosystem. Does the city flow with the river or are there green spaces and integrated parts for people to escape the city within the city.
I'd love to hear your thoughts.
Scott
For more images and stories - http://www.scottstevensonphotography.ca/
I think there is no simple answer to that question. A great city has a vibe of it's own, something that makes it different and worthwhile to visit. I enjoy a strong cultural presence, local traditions, food and events.
Personally I like a city with history, monumental buildings and old style streets that give light to your imagination.
Cities that are build to adapt to the environment instead of replacing it, building along the banks of a river or adapting structures and roads to slopes or building around hills or forests.
@scottdphoto your pictures are amazing as usual and reflect the aura of the new places.
On visiting new visits, one gets to see new people with different customs and traditions which are unique in their own day. The natural beauty complementing life.
I never miss sunsets when I move to other cities. I so love them. And I really try to connect that with sunset at my homeland as to how different the cities are. Every city has got its own charm. World is such a beautiful place having unique places to wander ❤
I'm currently living in Oslo, Norway.
I think one of the great things with this city is the closeness to nature. Just some few kilometres from the central station, it's possible to sit on a picnique-bench by the seaside with great views and not a single car or car road to be seen (Hovedøya, easily available by public ferries) - and there are quite many islands around that belong to the commons.
There is also the forest. The municipality consists of lot more forest than city - the geographical midpoint of Oslo is in the middle of the forest, north of the city itself.
Common areas typically gets eaten up due to the imbalance - if some politician permits building or privatization of the common land, it's pretty much an irreversible act. At the other hand, if someone wants to build and their application is rejected, it's easy to apply again. Bit by bit, common land may disappear as different politicians take office. Now, they've done some political handcraft here - they've managed to protect the forests in Oslo and the surrounding areas by national law. Hence, it's not sufficient that some local politician thinks it's OK to make forests into residental areas, it's needed to lift it up to the national level - the border between forest and city has become a sacred line that is not to be crossed (not with construction machinery, at least). The forest is easily accessible by metro, bus and train. Like, some 25 minutes by train from the central station, and some 15 minutes walk, and one will have magnificent view - forest, forest, forest and nothing but forest as far as one can see.
(I've upvoted my own comment, I think that's perfectly OK since I'm giving even more upvotes to many of the other comments here)
In my case, every time when I visit a new city, there are more factors that contribute to my final results: how tired I am when I start walk, how happy or sad I am, how much time I have available... and all this give a certain mood that always is reflected in my photos.
People who are living in are making the greatness of a city.
I call this: the possible image. Excellent composition and balance. Thanks for sharing it. #imagenposible
The amaing photography @scottdphoto your post is 👌👌👍
Wow... amazing photography
Travel is very nice, I appreciate your contest..........
Great photo-essay. That second image, especially, stands out for me. I love the almost cathedral feeling.
Great photos! What's the name of this city?
I think historical monuments and landscape make great a city.
This is Brisbane, Australia :-) We live there so I believe I recognized the city.
Brisbane it's pretty beautiful, the city has done a great job to ensure that the greenery still exist within the city. We have pretty nice parks scattered all around the city and the suburbs and South Bank who was built for the 88 expo has a great blend of green space including a pretty nice Mini-Rainforest.
It's common to see possums, ibis, water dragons in the area and sometimes even snakes :-) so all in all I guess a blend of modern building, wildlife and some historical building.
Brisbane hasn't done an amazing job with historical buildings but there are still some in the middle of the skyscrapers jungle that is growing.
Wow! I'll go to Adelaide in September with my girlfriend and work and travel with Visa 417
The Adelaide area is very nice too! The city isn't too busy and cycling along the river there is great. So many beautiful sights close by like Kangaroo Island, Flinders ranges and the whole Eire peninsula! So much to see in Australia :-) it's rather large country!
Yeah i know it! And what about the lifestyle in Adelaide? Is it too expensive?
It's much cheaper than the other cities as it is smaller but Australia overall compare to Europe is fairly expensive - but really it's all about how you live and spend your money.
Ok thank you very much
In my opionion a city is great if its food is great: I find easier remembering cities where I eat well than where I eat bad things.
For example I remember very well Greek Yogurt Aioli Sauce in Salonicco, Escargot in Paris, Paella in Valencia, Tabulè in Beirut and a lot of Italian cities.
Wow.....amazing
A city that's a bit cold and near the mountain is great for me. Some may like it hot or near the sea though. Regardless of the location, a city that still maintains clean air, water and surroundings is great for me.
A city is more beautiful when the people of that city is respectful . people helps when you in trouble like when you have problem in direction etc . you remembered only the people in life not building .
Beautiful Pictures :D
I am currently in lagos for my national youth service, it is truely a mind blowing city, firstly the spirit of Survival is always booming.
Yes, it is true that if you can survive in Lagos, then you can survive anywhere in the world. The city provides first-hand experience of what might be considered ‘real life’. It is a city of saints and sinners and you need to be on your toes all the time. There is room to make it in the city only if you can tap into the abundant opportunities available. Sometimes, the road might be rough but being in Lagos teaches one how to raise one’s head above water.
Lagos is the home of all. The city can boast that every tribe in the country has a representation there. This representation has even extended to African countries and the rest of the world with a lot of foreigners now visiting the city. Every visitor is welcomed and the city tries to make every foreigner feel at home.
Beautiful photography!