How Residents Rate Downtowns Around the World
From New York to Mumbai, a new survey finds city residents love their downtowns for entertainment — and for work. But opinions are more mixed when it comes to housing and raising a family.
Downtown neighborhoods around the world that were once places for work, like Manhattan’s Financial District, are being embraced by their residents as places for fun, entertainment and dining.
Photographer: Sergi Reboredo/VW Pics/Universal Images Group Editorial
With shifts to hybrid and remote work becoming more permanent, downtown office corridors, or so-called central business districts, can no longer survive primarily as places to work. Across the world, they are transforming into places where people live; go to enjoy restaurants and nightlife; take in culture, sports and entertainment; and where they socialize and connect with one another.
But cities still have work to do to make this transition. The strengths and weaknesses of downtowns are highlighted by a recent survey of residents of 92 central business districts spanning 53 global cities by the architecture and planning firm Gensler.