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The Endless City

Monday, June 02, 2008

By 2050, an estimated 75% of the world’s population will live in cities. Saskia Sassen is a professor of sociology at Columbia University and contributor to the new book, The Endless City, which looks at major changes in 6 megacities around the world. Another contributor, Tony Travers, is Director of the Greater London Group at the London School of Economics.

Weigh in: More and more people are moving to cities around the world. What led you to move to the city?

Slideshow of images from The Endless City


Comments

  • [1] Paul June 02, 2008 - 01:50PM

    I'm sorry, but what is the benefit of having all these extra people on the planet? To them or to us? Has anybody considered how many people this planet supported before the invention and widespread use of engines and fossil fuels? Are we all sure we will not have to go back to approximately that situation? Do we feel our life here is so sustainable that we should just bring as many living creatures about?

    We know that market economy will not take care of this problem, and at least not in time and without wars. Could we please at least try to make this an internationally recognized fact, that increasing the population is not desirable?

    Or are we going to do it like some bacteria, and wait to see what happens?


  • [2] ppv1 from NYC June 02, 2008 - 02:03PM

    Thanks to the guests/authors for their educated assessments of today's cities through their book. It's not often that people are so well versed and confident in their work, yet express it with so much humility and authority. Thanks for the perscpective.


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