Rate Your Cities
At the heart of the Student Ambassador Committee lies the exciting and engaging blog, aptly named Rate Your Cities.
What Is Rate Your Cities?
Rate Your Cities is a platform where authors can share their unique perspectives on urban environments. Whether you’re a seasoned traveler or a local resident, this blog invites you to interact with the cities you visit or inhabit.
Our guiding light is none other than Jeff Speck, a renowned city planner and urban designer. His influential work, The General Theory of Walkability, centers around creating walkable, vibrant cities that enhance quality of life.
City Excellence Index: Jeff Speck’s theory emphasizes four essential qualities that make a city attractive to pedestrians:
- Usefulness: A walk should serve a purpose—whether it’s commuting, shopping, or leisure.
- Mobility
- Public transit oriented? Auto centric?
- Bikes? Other modes of transportation?
- Zoning
- Mixed use? Euclidean?
- Mobility
- Safety: Streets and public spaces must prioritize pedestrian safety.
- Streets
- Are sidewalks wide enough to feel safe?
- Any abandoned spots or neglected space that condones insecurity?
- Streets
- Comfort: Walkways should be comfortable, accommodating different modes of travel.
- Public Space
- How many public parks were located in the city?
- Any other interesting public spaces?
- Public Space
- Interest: Engaging streetscapes, green spaces, and cultural landmarks contribute to a city’s allure.
- Architecture
- Sense of enclosure?
- Interesting/major architecture that reinforces the usage of the space?
- Architecture
How Does It Work?
As part of Rate Your Cities, authors will share their personal experiences, observations, and insights. Whether you’re passionate about architecture, public art, or local cuisine, your voice matters.
| Excellent | Good | Mediocre | Poor | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Walkability - Useful | 35 pts | 25 pts | 15 pts | 5 pt |
| Walkability - Safety | 35 pts | 25 pts | 15 pts | 5 pt |
| Walkability - Comfortable | 15 pts | 10 pts | 5 pts | 0 pt |
| Walkability - Interesting | 15 pts | 10 pts | 5 pts | 0 pt |
This project embraces subjectivity—each author’s lens shapes their city ratings. Over time, these diverse perspectives will cumulate into a comprehensive City Excellence Index Ranking List.
We encourage students from various backgrounds to participate. By collaborating, we’ll create a rich tapestry of urban narratives.
Join us on this exciting journey as we explore cities, celebrate their uniqueness, and contribute to a more walkable, vibrant world. Welcome to Rate Your Cities!
