Why is Manehattan much more modern than Canterlot?

[Rarity Paige Belle 1,854]

Manehattan has a police force, a modern subway system and modern technology such as trackers as shown in the latest comic, while Canterlot is much more medieval!

[Frith is Magick 1,471]

It actually makes a certain amount of sense. Manehattan is a younger city with the emphasis placed on being modern and cutting edge, whereas Canterlot is the home of the royal seat and a place with much more history. In the same way there are examples and remnants of ancient architecture all over Europe, Canterlot has retained the historic style, with more current amenities offered in a way reminiscent of the days of it's establishment, such as having Royal Guards instead of a conventional police force.

[Luna 831 466]

Because it is a city. Canterlot is better.

[wowowowo 132]

think of it like this even though Egypt is an older civilization than MURICA. it is still less modern

[Frith is Magick 1,471]

 

 

think of it like this even though Egypt is an older civilization than MURICA. it is still less modern

That means very little. Despite a track record of warmongering, when it comes to internal politics the united states have been relatively stable, whereas Egypt, especially in these more modern times, has seen much internal conflict and dictatorial regimes willfully hindering advancement. Despite this, Egypt still has much of the infrastructure, even if circumstances have been crippling. The key difference is that Canterlot and Manehattan being in the same kingdom have not had that sort of division. Had Canterlot been held back by either internal or external conflict, it would have been rebuilt in a more modern style. The fact that it remains traditional implies a willful culture keeping it that way.

 

On this note, you do bring up a good point. It is possible that things happened the opposite of how you described them. Manehattan could have had a strong and thriving culture before the Age of Chaos (approximate time of Discord, Sombra, and Nightmare Moon). If the events of that time, especially during the reign of Discord, somehow significantly damaged their general territory, then it makes sense that they would have rebuilt in a more modern style. It makes a certain degree of sense, though my assumption remains that they are simply a younger city (or even city-state) lacking the same depth and richness of history and culture.

[Stone Cold Applejack 381]

Cuz Manehattan is styled after a morden society while Canterlot is styled after a old English kingdom.

[Ashen Pathfinder 16,161]

Well, the boring answer is that it is how the writers wanted it; no further explanation meaning.

 

However, that's no fun.

 

In the end, Canterlot is the more ancient of the two (Canterlot is even mentioned in the Journal of the Two Sister, along with the Crystal Empire). The ponies living there have grown used to the style and heritage that the place represents and thus, we have what we have.

 

If we go by the official map, we see that Manehatten is located at the coast; which is a good spot for a city centered around a harbor. A nice, sizable population helps to grow the city and as ponies move in and a younger population grows, technology begins to form a major backbone of the city.

 

My Little Overthinker: Speculation is AWESOME!

[Ziggy + Angel + Rain 11,302]

Celestia is actually very old-fashioned (she's been set in her ways for hundreds of years) and has immediately quashed any attempts to further modernize Camelot.  Err, I mean Canterlot. xD  Some ponies wanted to put in a Starbucks (it works lol) and were sentenced to life in Tartarus.

[Bella_Faus 35]

Because.....IT WANTS TO BE!!!       Yeah.....

[Celli 4,338]

That's actually a pretty good question. I'm not really sure.

[Steel Accord 6,660]

I think it's because Equestria operates much like what I term a Confederate Thearchy. (Not to be confused with Theocracy.) Each settlement is a city-state unto itself but all exist under the eminent divine domain of Celestia and Luna.

 

So each city caters to a different societal model as according to the general preference of it's citizenry. Canterlot is populated chiefly by ponies with a more classical mindset, placing great emphasis on artistic and intellectual achievement. While Manehatten ponies are a bit more competitive and industrious.

 

Contrast that to Ponyville, which is the ideal "small town." Very unassuming and suburban. Of course, Celestia granted the land to a group of settlers who were farmers, so She obviously knew what the result would be.

 

So I think, in general, it's because those in Manehatten want all the skyscrapers and busy streets. Now that isn't to say they smile at their circumstance everyday. I mean, Rarity absolutely chafes under the restraints that she feels Ponyville places on her. However, I think we all know there's a difference between what one nominally wants in the moment, than what they need in their heart.

Edited July 22, 2014 by Steel Accord

[Malinter 3,064]

Canterlot is older than Manehatten. Also given that Canterlot is the seat of an immortal ruler, she probably keeps Canterlot as it is as both a sense of tradition and to keep something of her own past solid. Plus given the disrepair the Twin Sisters Castle fell into. Its probably the only example of ancient castle design known to most ponies.

[Steel Accord 6,660]

Celestia is actually very old-fashioned (she's been set in her ways for hundreds of years) and has immediately quashed any attempts to further modernize Camelot.  Err, I mean Canterlot. xD  Some ponies wanted to put in a Starbucks (it works lol) and were sentenced to life in Tartarus.

 

I find that very hard to believe given Celestia's characterization. Especially considering that Canterlot has a donut shop, airships, and a DJ that uses electronic sound equipment at weddings.

[Pastel 7,630]

Probably for the same reason we live in a world where we can find this:

 

and this:

[Xeno 4]

I guess someone was playing too much Civilization....