The world now contains 17 "megacities," places with more than 10 million people each. In 1950, there was only one (New York). By 2030, it is projected, more than 2,000 urban regions, in every part of the world, will have populations of more than 1 million each. Most Americans live in city regions, notes Darren Walker, the Rockefeller Foundation vice president who dreamed up the Global Urban Summit that brought together urban leaders from six continents for four weeks of conferences and provided the fodder for "Century of the City." Beginning in 2008, for the first time in history a majority of the world's people lived in cities, and by 2050 that number is expected to reach 70 percent. No wonder "Century's" authors, Neal Peirce and Curtis Johnson, call the stretch ahead "an urban future for mankind."
"Century" sweeps quickly, necessarily, across a great panorama of many places and topics. It dives into the big challenges of climate change, public health, water, sanitation, housing, and transportation, as well as civic engagement. It contrasts the situation of developing and developed world cities, and focuses several chapters on American cities. It highlights interviews with a wide range of urban leaders.
Jane Jacobs said that cities are "organized complexity" and make themselves up as they proceed. "Century" gives us quite a look at how this most important of human projects is going. And it expresses an optimism about how cities are coping, which no doubt captures the spirit of a Global Urban Summit that discussed the many innovative ideas and models that are becoming part of our urban future.
Copies of "Century of the City" are available, cost-free: email rockefeller@forbesamg.com and include ‘Century of the City’ in the Subject line of the email form. There is no charge for the books; however, the Rockefeller Foundation can offer only two copies per request. |
