The Ultimate Urbanist Tier List of North American Cities: An In-Depth Analysis

The Fascinating World of Urbanist City Rankings

In an innovative twist to the traditional top 10 lists, the latest City Nerd video presents an urbanist tier list of North American cities, categorizing them based on various urban metrics. This approach not only ranks the cities but organizes them into tiers, providing a fresh perspective on urban quality of life across the continent.

Embracing the Tier List Format

Unlike conventional rankings that list cities in order, the tier list format introduces a grading system from 'S' to 'F', with 'S' being the highest score. This method is inspired by the popular channel Tier Zoo, although City Nerd brings a unique urbanist angle to the concept. The criteria focus on walkability, transit, biking, and density, offering a comprehensive view of urban living standards.

Criteria for Evaluation

• Walkability: A custom index combining walk score data and census information.
• Transit: Evaluated similarly to walkability but focusing on public transportation accessibility.
• Biking: Another custom index assessing cities' bike-friendliness.
• Density: Considered important enough to warrant its own criterion due to its impact on the other three metrics.

It's important to note that this analysis purposely omits factors such as architecture and food culture to focus solely on quantifiable urbanism aspects, particularly how feasible it is to live in a city without a car.

The Tier List Breakdown

The Sun Belt - Beyond F Tier

Cities like Tampa, Dallas, Houston, Phoenix, Riverside, Orlando, San Antonio, and Charlotte find themselves in the lowest tier, labeled humorously as 'The Sun Belt'. These cities struggle across all measured urban factors, especially Dallas and Houston, which, despite their size, lag in transit and walkability.

F Tier Cities

San Diego, Atlanta, and Detroit fall into the F tier, each facing unique challenges but generally suffering from poor transit systems and excessive sprawl.

E Tier - The Midfield

Cities like Pueblo, St. Louis, Baltimore, Denver, and Los Angeles land in the E tier. These cities show potential but are held back by various issues, from historical density reduction to inadequate transit coverage.

The Upper Tiers - D to S

• D Tier: Features cities like Monterey and Portland, with Portland being recognized for its biking infrastructure.
• C Tier: Includes Chicago and Seattle, among others, rated for their progress in urban amenities.
• B Tier: Boston, DC, and Vancouver shine with high walkability scores and urban development.
• A Tier: San Francisco and Mexico City dominate with strong performances across all categories.
• S Tier: New York stands alone at the top, boasting the best urban attributes in North America.

The Controversy and Conversation

As expected, such a list is bound to stir debate among urban enthusiasts and city dwellers alike. City Nerd encourages this discussion, acknowledging the subjective nature of selecting and weighing data. However, the intention behind this tier list is to spark conversation about urbanism and the diverse factors that contribute to a city's livability.

Conclusion

This tier list offers a novel and data-driven perspective on North American cities, challenging viewers to consider what makes a city truly livable. While the ranking may provoke disagreement, it also invites a broader dialogue about urban development, sustainability, and community.

For those interested in diving deeper into the urbanist tier list and the methodology behind it, watch the full video here.