Lecture 2: modern cities

what are the pillars of a city? (4)

• size

• economy

• social character

• local development

what are the geographic and demographic components? (3)

• area of a certain size

• concentration/density of population

• heterogeneity of population

what do we mean by population heterogeneity, what are the differences? (5)

• difference in ethnicities, ages, gender

• difference in economic status (rich, middle, poor)

• difference in professional specializations

• difference in political influence/power

• difference in social status

what’s the difference between economic status and social status?

• economic: money

• social: money, but also your job, your influence

→ usually, if you are high in one, you are also high in the other but that’s not always the case

when do we consider that the first cities appeared?

when we had enough resources to generate surplus

why do we consider that cities started to exist when we had surplus?

because it allowed growth or concentration of people, to the point where you needed to be supported by other areas

where are cities usually formed?

in a good spot for trade (water, routes)

why does a city need a strong economic base? (3)

• to produce and buy resources

• to get what you don’t have

• to not shrink/collapse (to survive)

what can people do and what do people need in a city? (5)

• exercise their rights (vote) and duties (taxes)

• participate in public events

• need open space

• participate in public movements that will have impact

• self-organized urbanism: let some spot for individual initiative

true or false: cities can’t have influence outside the urban sphere

false: they can and the bigger the city, the more influence they have

true or false: cities are statics

false: they constantly evolve

why do we say that cities are competing against each other?

because if the conditions aren’t good in one, people will move to another

what do you need to think about to have a good city development? (4)

• livable environment

• sustainable growth (not too fast)

• strong economy

• attractive to business

what are the challenges of a city, environmental wise? (3)

we need to find a way to limit ecological footprint

• gas emissions

• consumption of resources

• pollution

what are smart cities?

we want to design cities of the future

• rights and wellbeing of people are ensured

• industrial activity and urban planning are structured around environmental and sustainable criteria

what are the challenges of being a city, safety/security wise? (3)

• hygiene and sanitation

• crime prevention

• resilient system allowing to react properly when facing pressure and/or strains due to limited resources

what are the key issues that need answers now? (2)

• lodging crisis

• city centers are empty due to remote work

how can we ensure cohesive/sustainable growth? (4)

• urban design

• city planning committee: people from different disciplines and background planning together

• legislation

• considering public and historical landmarks: not destroy what people consider important

what are the challenges of urban planning? (5)

• how to adapt to new technologies: protect yourself from bad usage

• how to make public spaces welcoming: for disabled person

• how to balance the nature and the city: need a place in the city to escape the city

• how to deal with traffic, parking, sharing the road

• how to balance history and modernity