For those of you who love to travel, which communities around the world do you like the most? Which unique cityscape attracts you the most? “Time Out” magazine recently released the list of the “Top 40 Coolest Communities in the World” for 2020. This global survey, which began in 2018, interviewed a total of 38,000 people to understand their views on various aspects of art, culture, food, lifestyle, and community spirit in different communities around the world. Here are the top 10 regions listed for you to see if your favorite city made the cut!
1st place: Barcelona, Spain
As the top Eixample in Barcelona, it can be divided into the modernist architecture and boutique-lined Dreta de l’Eixample, as well as the Esquerra de l’Eixample community on the left side of Eixample, with distinctive buildings and a vibrant community atmosphere, which is why the latter can be crowned the number one “most stylish community in the world”. Even during the pandemic, locals dress up and hold large dance parties on their balconies, bringing vitality to the community in this uncertain time.
The local community spirit can also be seen in the Mutual Support Network, which helps vulnerable groups, as well as in the famous restaurant Semproniana run by Ada Parellada, who prepares food for healthcare workers. The community also provides space for LGBTQ+ businesses, highlighting the precious humanistic spirit of the area.
2nd place: Downtown Los Angeles, USA
The Contemporary Art Museum has lowered ticket prices, shared office spaces have moved into the beautiful Bradbury Building penthouse, and a new restaurant has opened at the Hoxton Hotel. Originally the most anticipated events in downtown Los Angeles this year, the area has experienced a period of mourning due to the pandemic and the departure of basketball star Kobe Bryant.
In this year, The Broad Museum brought Yayoi Kusama’s Infinity Mirrored Room, the now-closed restaurant Broken Spanish’s aid to workers, bringing peace and care to the community. The subsequent George Floyd shooting incident triggered police-civilian conflicts, with up to a thousand citizens coming to downtown Los Angeles for a peaceful march, bringing people together once again.
3rd place: Sham Shui Po, Hong Kong
In the list of “40 Most Stylish Communities Worldwide,” one of the well-known communities in Hong Kong is Sham Shui Po, which has become a trendy spot for the artsy crowd in recent years! This community, once known for its textile industry and one of the oldest areas in Hong Kong, has brought a different vibe thanks to the creativity of the younger generation. Sham Shui Po is a place where old and new community cultures converge. Here, you can find traditional and nostalgic items such as old buildings, historical landmarks, street vendors, and old-fashioned bean curd factories. At the same time, in different streets and alleys, you will also discover the presence of creative boutiques and unique coffee shops, such as the sustainable coffee shop Color Brown plus Phvlo, which transformed from a former textile store.
In Sham Shui Po, there is also a unique hostel called Wontonmeen, a gathering place for artists and tourists. Due to the decrease in visitors caused by the pandemic, it has now transformed into a studio for musicians to produce videos and perform. Wontonmeen also retains some space to provide shelter for the homeless.
4th place: New York Bedford Stuyvesant
Bedford-Stuyvesant in New York City boasts Victorian-era architecture, tree-lined residential streets, and is a historic, traditional community with close-knit connections, resembling a big family. Additionally, it has long been a cultural hub for African Americans in New York and a major location for the “Black Lives Matter” movement.
During the outbreak of the epidemic, local mutual aid networks such as Bed-Stuy Strong emerged to assist those in need. At that time, many local businesses also dedicated themselves to uniting the community, such as the restaurant Peaches HotHouse providing fried chicken to the public, and the vintage clothing store Harold and Maude Vintage offering vibrant and gender-inclusive clothing. Not to mention The Billie Holiday Theatre, which continued to bring exciting performances while maintaining social distance, not forgetting art during the epidemic.
5th place: Alavil, Melbourne, Australia
In Melbourne, Australia, under the influence of the epidemic, many activities such as art, music, and coffee culture have come to a halt. However, as a cultural capital, even during the two lockdowns, Yarraville has not forgotten to maintain its community spirit. For example, some people have erected cute “happy signs” on the local sidewalks to encourage everyone, and there are also skaters who have put on performance costumes to skate on the streets, reminding everyone to stay positive in difficult times. The local cultural landmark, Sun Theatre, has also brought exciting art events.
6th place: Berlin, Germany
Wedding is located in the northwest of the Mitte district, the capital of Germany, Berlin. It is a community with a slower pace of life, loyal to local businesses, whether independent grocery stores or street food stalls. In addition, it is an avant-garde, multicultural, and vibrant artist community. In recent years, more and more young artists have been attracted by its unique atmosphere, making it a niche travel destination.
7th place: Shanghai Shanxi North Road and Kangding Road
Shaanxi North Road and Kangding Road are located in the Jing’an District of Shanghai. It is now an area filled with cafes, bars, and restaurants, where you can find bustling establishments like natural wine bars among low-rise alleyway houses and old noodle shops. In addition, Shaanxi North Road has been selected as a “China Historical and Cultural Famous Street,” with independent garden residences lining the street, as well as being a gathering place for celebrity former residences, historical and cultural landmarks, and exquisite yet typical architectural styles.
8th place: Dennistoun, Glasgow, Scotland
In the past 10 years, young people mainly from the University of Strathclyde have flocked to Dennistoun in Glasgow, changing the original face of this community. There are now different restaurants and bars, as well as artist-run market galleries, exhibitions, music performances, comedy shows, and other rich cultural activities. However, the appearance of the epidemic has affected these activities. Additionally, the local Zero Waste Market allows people in the area to plan planting activities, bringing sustainable future development to the community.
9th place: Marais in Paris, France
This area located between the Rambuteau, Temple, and Saint-Sébastien-Froissart metro stations is home to high-end restaurants like Enfants DuMarché, as well as world-renowned contemporary art galleries such as Suzanne Tarasieve, Emmanuel Perrotin, and Thaddaeus Ropac, which are sure to attract food and art lovers alike. And at night, it transforms into a paradise for wine lovers, with cocktail bars lining the streets.
10th place: Marrickville, Sydney, Australia
Sydney’s Marrickville not only has a bustling business district but is also a place that blends diverse cultures. Waves of Portuguese, Vietnamese, Italian, and Greek immigrants have added to the cultural diversity of this community, bringing a rich variety of cuisines to the city. Here you can find humble sandwich shops, bakeries, and experience the atmosphere of Marrickville’s hotel bars. The creativity of local artists has also reshaped the once industrial side of this city.
參考資料：Time Out；圖片來源：Google
