Paul Krugman: Australia can weather the Chinese economic downturn

  1. Old intellectual centers. Thousand year old temples/churches or what not. University that is several hundred years old would be good. (the intellectual core of a city that last ages and withstand war, revolution, or gilded ages. It withstood the test of time) It means, not just any asshole with money can rise up to power and think they can change this and that. He better be able to answer when the city ask questions. The soul of the city is stable. (foundation of lasting art / science/ business/etc... culture) The city has huge ability to absorb, develop or repel any ideas.

  2. Food. People gotta eat. And you know a person from what he eats. This is beyond Pizza join or Starbuck coffee in every corner. Little cake and sweet shop that has been around since before time exist. Things that is written in stories, drama, film, or what not. These little shops can only exist under very narrow situation. Food that simply doesn't exist anywhere else.

  3. who can come in and out, and why. People and goods from all corner of the world. (major ports/trading route. exotic food. music. what not)

  4. The people who run wealth and power park their ass there. (let's face it these group really have to keep their behind. balancing between thriving business and security/longevity.)

with that the rest follows, able bureaucracy, clean street, efficient city, future planning, ..etc (because that's how the city inhabitant thinks. It has its own soul and beat, regardless what the rest of the world think, let alone clownish outfit like OECD.)

Melbourne? Try again in few hundred years. It's Miami without the crazy latins. no beat, no flavor. Boring modern city is a dime a dozen.

/r/Economics Thread Parent Link - gu.com