Via Scoop.it – Urban economy

The 19th century was a century of empires, 20th century was a century of nation states and the 21st century will be a century of cities… This outstanding infographic (courtesy of postscapes.com) begins with some information about our current state of urbanization. Did you know that 1.3 million people are moving to cities each week?! It then explains the need for smart cities and delves into what is required to establish these intelligent connected environments, how the smart city may take various forms in the developing worlds and what specific technologies are necessary to achieve such grand goals in practice.
Via www.theurbn.com

Via Scoop.it – Urban economy

“The subtitle for “Creativity and the Capitalist City: The Struggle for Affordable Space in Amsterdam” is critical for understanding the focus of this interesting new independent release from German filmmaker and urbanist Tino Buchholz. At its core, the movie is about the struggle to keep Amsterdam affordable in the face of steady gentrification. Policymakers there have taken to heart Richard Florida’s famed maxim about the link between the so-called “creative class” and regional economic development, transforming it into housing, redevelopment and cultural economic policy. But Buchholz realizes that this is only one piece of Amsterdam’s transformation.”….
Via www.thepolisblog.org

Via Scoop.it – Urban economy

Cities could soon be looking after their citizens all by themselves as researchers develop an operating system for the urban world.
Show original

Via Scoop.it – Urban economy

During this year’s Ecobuild event in London, a panel of professionals were tasked with discussing the potential of social enterprise and community leadership to enhance the design, delivery and management of better places.
Show original

Via Scoop.it – Urban economy

In the big debate on Density in Cities en economic growth, here the argument by Ryan Avant, author of a book on the relationship between high density cities and the growth of an creative economy. This essay is an adaption of his book “The Gated City”.
Show original

Via Scoop.it – Urban economy

An architect reviews the book of an economist on urban design, urban planning en NIMBY behaviour. The economists (first Glaeser and now Avent) are getting onto the turf of the architects: is this the start of a great scientific, cultural debate?
Show original

Via Scoop.it – Urban economy

In the September issue of Scientific American, Harvard University economist Edward Glaeser describes how education and entrepreneurship can make or break cities. In a series of case studies around the Web, Glaeser has explored how those factors and others have allowed some U.S. cities to thrive as others continue to struggle. Below are links to his writings, plus related articles, on five American metropolises.
Show original

Via Scoop.it – Urban economy

“Many urban centers have public and private economic development programs and resources, but in the Twin Cities, it appears that we have a higher-than-average likelihood of collaboration among seemingly competing organizations.   Companies and associations here realize that helping others doesn’t mean getting pushed to the back of the line. Instead, by working together on a collaborative business environment, and encouraging all companies toward growth, we create a climate in which it feels like everyone wins.”…
Show original

Via Scoop.it – Urban economy
“Urbanized is a feature-length documentary about the design of cities, which looks at the issues and strategies behind urban design and features some of the world’s foremost architects, planners, policymakers, builders, and thinkers. Over half the world’s population now lives in an urban area, and 75% will call a city home by 2050. But while some cities are experiencing explosive growth, others are shrinking. The challenges of balancing housing, mobility, public space, civic engagement, economic development, and environmental policy are fast becoming universal concerns. Yet much of the dialogue on these issues is disconnected from the public domain.” ….
Show original

Via Scoop.it – Urban economy

Smart cities don’t happen by accident.  To help planners and policy makers better understand and manage the dynamic behavior of cities, IBM Global Business Services is introducing new analytics software and services based on their “smarter cities” strategy.  System Dynamics for Smarter Cities is an interactive model that allows leaders to observe how the core systems of a city — such as the economy, housing, education, public safety, transportation, health care, government services and utilities — work together and affect one another. …
Show original