How Social Media Can Revitalize Cities?
By Sanjeev Wignarajah
As you scroll onto Instagram and TikTok feed, you find content creators going to a new restaurant, cafe, or an event either trying out the food or exploring the venue highlighting what they like and dislike and giving an overall review. Content creators have also explored different neighbourhoods and found unique things about it, which is a big boost to small businesses. We’ll use two cities for this case: Toronto and New York City.
Toronto
Toronto is home to so many eclectic and diverse neighbourhoodsthat are unique in their own right. It is even one of the most visited cities that are flocked by tourists. As soon as a new restaurant or coffee shop opens up, content creators go into detail about the food and drinks served with a little ASMR for the food and drink as a feast for the eyes and the mind. Restaurant owners tell their story on the inspiration of the shop and what it means to them and why people should check it out. The reality for small businesses is that they struggle to break even because of rent increases, insurance payments, cost of supplies, etc. It’s important to support local businesses and show love to them.
Another element of content creators highlighting the city is walking tours. Ever curious about a neighbourhood you want to visit based on word of mouth or on social media? Look no further than a virtual walking tour. These content creators walk from one section to another highlighting businesses, changes to the neighbourhood such as construction, historical buildings, etc.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=39nunIZYco0
New York City
There’s a lot you can describe New York City. Whether it’s the movies or countless TV shows you see that are set in NYC. Nicolas Heller, a New York-based filmmaker, documents the real New York. It’s people and local businesses that make New York New York. Heller even made a contest for the best New York Accent Contest. Heller’s content is a slice-of-life of what New York is actually like from one borough to the next.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=I38KHfXrwrQ
To quote the late Anthony Boudain, “If I’m an advocate for anything. It’s to move. As far as you can. As much as you can. Across the ocean or simply across the river. The extent to which you can walk in someone else’s shoes or at least eat their food. It’s a plus for everybody. Open your mind, get up off of the couch, move.”
Sanjeev Wignarajah is a freelance writer and photographer working with select clients and publications. He has a background in journalism and public relations from Centennial College.