Style of a city?

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So today I was having a conversation with someone about a city that I liked.

They asked me "What's the style of this city?"

I had no idea how to answer. What does that question mean?

It's not often I get completely stumped like that. But the first thing that came into my head was hairstyle (obviously not!) and the second was about fashion (which is not something I would notice) .... so after a short pause I just came out with a random personal point of view about the city.

She then clarified her question. But before I tell you what she meant, I wondered how you guys would interpret the question?

I would interpret it as to what sort of overall obvious traits it has. My fictional city, for example, is modernistic with a bustling nightlife, filled with both upperclass twits and hidden thugs. It reminds me of Las Vegas, now that I think about it.

When I thought "style", my first reaction was the physical layout - a map of the city.

But I'm going to guess that she meant the social style - how friendly people are, quantity and quality of social events/nightlife, that sort of thing?

The style of a city.....I'd say it's about its layout and its architecture which already can say a lot about the way it functions and how people live in this city.

I would definitely think architectural style if someone said that to me. Like when someone asks me 'What is Cambridge like?' I say, 'It's got lots of old buildings but some new ones too. There are a lot of shops and a nice little restaurant. There are lots of famous colleges there'. In both your case and mine, It is also possible that the person meant 'What are the PEOPLE in Cambridge like'. That I couldn't answer!

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I would guess architectural style, too, from the context.

I'd start questioning it mentally and not be able to answer, and would respond asking what was meant by style.

Since I go to cities a lot (I was born in New York City), I think that the style of the city is really fast pace, diverse, Lively, lots of things to do and experience. Call it strange but to me a city is like a rainforest. The buildings are like trees, Both citizens and animals are diverse too.

I thought cities were cities (albeit differences in size, safety/crime levels, architecture, cultural experiences, etc), until I visited Vancouver. We were there for 3 days and I don't think we actually found the city centre. I live in the suburbs of Glasgow and wouldn't even hazard a guess at what 'style' it is.

Don't know. To me, cities don't exist. They're just areas of higher population and house density. It may be possible to generalise about some aspects, but that won't do me any good because I'll never experience the general citizen/house, only individuals, who deviate from the average.

I suppose one thing about the city I live in, which could be called part of its style, is the almost universal use of red bricks in the buildings. It's not easy to find a house that isn't red. So maybe they were asking about architectural style.

To be honest I don't see much variation in "style" between one city and another.

When she clarified for me, she clarified that she meant architectural style.

So top marks to those who would have answered it correctly!

Must remember to always ask "in what context?" when I'm having difficulty with a question. I usually do. But that day ... just blank.

I'd agree with the others who have said architectural style.

Oh, architecture! Cue my embarrassment.
I have... tiny pyramid houses and four really tall interconnected hotel towers that tourists like to take pictures of. Not that it matters much. Does it matter? Really?
Yeah... can you tell my pride's finally been shot? Once again I misunderstand basic meaning, while every one else here got it right. I think I'm about to go out of control... and I'm not even the person who was asked the question!

I never would have guessed architecture...

I would have no idea how to answer that do cities even have a certain style?