Captain Plan→it

Tell me that I’m not the only one really annoyed that NYC is putting the world’s tallest Ferris Wheel on Staten Island. 

Giant, overpriced ferris wheel in the skyline= a symbol of LONDON. 

Why on earth do we need to steal such a symbol from a rival city? Are we that simple and uncreative?! Place making is kind of my thing and this just feels dirty to me.  Like identity theft. There is no reason that we need to do this, imo. We could have created something different, unique! In about a year Dubai will probably build one that’s even taller than ours, so why make it “the biggest!!” and so expensive (230$ million) anyway? 

I know that London isn’t the only city with a giant ferris wheel. Singapore has the world’s largest, and there are a few in China but it doesn’t seem to be part of the iconic identity as it is in London, at least to an outsider. I didn’t even know Singapore had one until now, or that China did, and I’ve lived in China before. I certainly knew about the London Eye before I went this summer.

Here is an article about NYC’s decision.

“It’s going to be a real icon. The Ferris wheel will be Staten Island’s Eiffel Tower,” Sen. Charles Schumer enthused.

As a visible addition to the skyline around the harbor, the wheel “gives Staten Island an identity beyond its role as a suburban community,” while letting it tap into the stream of tourist money in a city that drew 50.9 million visitors last year, said Mitchell Moss, a New York University urban policy professor.

Okay, maybe I just have a thing for skylines and I like them being DIFFERENT. Skylines and icons are how cities brand and promote themselves. Yeah people will obviously still be able to tell the difference between the two, but it’s still just super lame to me.

I’m sure we all have pet peeves in planning and I guess I found mine! My overwhelming love for London is also probably playing a part in my frustration.

So, what do you guys think? Do you think it’s a good idea or do you also find it lazy icon stealing?