Adam Lustig03/13/14Story 9-2Draft/Research PaperThe similarities and differences between New York City and Chang'anIt is interesting to note that two cities more than 7,000 miles apart, and in completely different eras, could have so many similarities. The city of Chang'an in China during the Tang Dynasty was organized on a grid similar to that of New York City today. A thriving trade was of great importance to the development of both cities, but very different political systems were used to govern each. Today's New York City and Chang'an during the Tang dynasty share key similarities, as both were important commercial centers in strategic locations, but were managed along very different political lines. Chang'an during the Tang Dynasty and today's New York City were attracted. people around the world due to the large amounts of resources exchanged. One of the greatest trade routes of the Tang Dynasty was the Silk Road. The Silk Road was a path that ran from the Pacific coast of China to the Mediterranean Sea, and this route connected the eastern market to the western market (Chang'an). Chang'an was located at the eastern end of the Silk Road. Many exotic goods were traded along this route from Persia and India (City Life in Tang). This trade enriched the people of Chang'an and trade continued to increase in both western and eastern markets. Due to increased trade, many more people began to live near the Western Market (Chang'an). The people of Chang'an began to be envied because of their immense wealth. This caused laws to be created prohibiting people from showing off their wealth. Whereas in New York, wealth is applauded and envied. Commerce in modern New Y...... middle of paper ... leads to government buildings. Commerce and trade grew because it allowed merchants, travelers, and locals to transport themselves and their goods across Chang'an in an efficient and organized manner. The grid system in New York was, and still is, used as an organized and efficient way for anyone to get around the city. Before it was built, the city was growing rapidly and city planners had to plan for its expansion. They decided to build Manhattan on a grid system. This allowed them to plan in advance for the rapid increase in population. The main idea behind this system was to profit from real estate. As more people settled in these new lands, trade increased. The net result was that the city grew even faster than planners had anticipated and real estate profits were also higher than expected (New York Times).