IAN: I have been thinking about the relationship between economic progress and economic geography for many years. I have been struck by how place has become even more important over recent decades, with economic activity now dominated by a small number of thriving global metropolises. I have also been alarmed by the way in which the populist movements of recent years, from Brexit to Trump, have been tinged with resentment toward cosmopolitan cities like London and New York. Making those cities more accessible, and developing new thriving clusters, is essential if we are to combat seething tensions over inequality. The Covid-19 pandemic made it even clearer to me that now was the time for a book on cities, given both the uncertainty over the long-term impact of remote work and the role of urbanisation in the accelerating spread of infectious diseases.
TOM: Cities are at the heart of so many of the biggest issues facing society today, from inequality to pandemics and climate change. In a sense that is unsurprising, given that over half the world's population now lives in cities, more than at any time in history. But the centrality of the city is something that is often overlooked. To understand – and ultimately to overcome – these issues, it's essential that we understand the role that cities play in shaping them.
IAN: They are highly interrelated. Poor people are much more vulnerable to all risks, as we saw in the very uneven impact of the pandemic on people based on where they lived and what jobs they held. While many professionals could escape to their home offices and leave cities, those doing essential work and those who lived and commuted in crowded conditions were more vulnerable. Climate change similarly has a bigger impact on poor people – the rich can live in air-conditioned cocoons, whereas poorer people not only work in occupations which are more exposed to extremes, such as agriculture and construction, but also live in areas which are prone to flooding from rivers or oceans and to droughts and extreme weather. And when disease and climate change strike the poor, they are often sent deeper into poverty.
IAN: A growing number of city-dwellers spend their lives in close proximity to other people while at the same time battling a sense of isolation and loneliness, often with devastating impacts on their mental health. Some have gone so far as to talk of a "loneliness epidemic". There is a need for action in a number of areas. One is to create more places for people to meet, such as pedestrianised streets and parks. Another is to encourage the development of social centres and clubs for activities that cater to a wide range of ages and interests, from yoga and dance classes to film screening and card games. Social media communities designed around neighbourhoods can complement these types of initiatives. Finding ways to check in on those that cannot leave their homes is important, too.
TOM: I would add that, at a time of increasing polarisation and divisiveness online, cities have the power to be bridges that build connections between people from different walks of life. But only if we design them properly. As an example, spreading subsidised affordable housing throughout a city can help boost the level of interaction between people of differing income levels.
TOM: No single city does everything right, but there are some excellent initiatives that we can draw inspiration from. Vienna has been at the forefront of social housing, with over half the city's population living in subsidised housing. Singapore has done an incredible job blanketing itself in greenery, reducing its carbon footprint and temperature while also making the city a more enjoyable place to live. Paris has embraced the idea of the "15-minute city", where schools and shopping and workplaces can all be reached within a short distance from where people live. We cover these examples and many others in the book.
IAN: It is remarkable that some of the most diverse cities, with high shares of migrants and diverse populations, are also regularly voted as the most desirable to live in and have exceptionally high rates of creativity and productivity. Cities like Vancouver and Toronto, Melbourne and Dubai have thrived by harnessing the power of diversity and migration.
IAN: Individuals have an essential role to play in creating better, fairer and more sustainable cities. Partly that is simply being informed about urban issues and voting for mayors and other political leaders with a positive, ambitious vision. But it is also about making an effort to build connections with the people you share your city with, particularly those from different backgrounds. And it is also about making choices to live sustainably, whether that is relying more on public transport or being more thoughtful about what you waste. The sum of all those individual choices can add up to sustained systemic improvements.