A look at New York City and Amsterdam

I chose to look at New York City and Amsterdam. 

American cities like NYC developed like the models of their European origins. However, American cities also developed with economic motives in mind. The CBD is very clearly visible in NYC. The tall skyscrapers, built to convey economic power and prestige, cluster together. This is not visible in Amsterdam. The 'skyscraper section' of Amsterdam is small in comparison to New York.

The United States' drive for economic success and even dominance is evident in the metropolises of the eighteenth century.

The grids of NYC, like many other American cities, are rigid. Cities developed without breaks in the grids for open spaces. Although New York has Central Park and a few other smaller parks, the amount of green space does not compare to the density of the city. Commerce and business development drove the American city model. 

American cities developed as indicators of power and success. In many cities like New York City, the structures were built taller and taller to stand out as important buildings and, in turn, companies. As technology improved with inventions such as the elevator, buildings became taller signifiers of the modern age. 

Amsterdam has been able to retain its old world charm with much of the architecture. 

Amsterdam has lower buildings and an overall friendlier atmosphere. Amsterdam seems like a whimsical place situated with many canal-ways and brick streets. The roads almost flow like the waterways of the city. The different facades are interesting and different from the uniform looks of many street blocks in the US. Amsterdam has a more organic feel in my opinion. There is much more open space in Amsterdam. Many of the monumental locations have open space surrounding.

New York City developed upon a European model while incorporating the American spirit for economic success. Amsterdam grew more organically with a more scaled down environment. Both American and European cities can tell wonders about the people and cultures that built them.