Book Tip No. 23 (2017): RICHARD FLORIDA: THE NEW URBAN CRISIS
New York 2017.
Cities have a very large competitive advantage over rural areas: they are much more productive, they produce the vast majority of innovations, they offer work, and people in cities live – which may initially surprise – healthier. It is therefore understandable if people are drawn to the cities in both developing and industrialized countries: rural exodus is a phenomenon observed worldwide. 200 years ago, 3% of the population lived in cities; today it is around 50% – with a continuing upward trend.
At the same time, the rapidly growing million cities have huge problems. Public transport systems are overwhelmed, there are inhumane conditions in the slums of developing countries, segregation in cities is increasing, gentrification of urban areas leads to social tensions, and city administrations often prove to be not very assertive. They are more concerned with shortage management.
Richard Florida draws attention to these very issues. Understanding and shaping urbanization is one of the greatest challenges of the century. For the politically interested reader, dealing with the “New Urban Crisis” is therefore a must. And Richard Florida succeeds in developing convincing and concrete solutions. Whether these will also be included in political programs, however, remains to be seen.
