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Are you interested in how can we create better, more sustainable cities for the future?

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Our summary today works with the book titled Inventing Future Cities from 2018 by Michael Batty, published by The MIT Press. This is a great preparation for our next interviewee, Michael Batty as the books present how he thinks about the future of cities. Since we are investigating the future of cities, I thought it would be interesting to see how interdisciplinary collaboration and technologies can transform urban life. The book presents the opportunity and call for us to create cities that are more efficient, equitable and liveable for all.

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Welcome to today’s What is The Future For Cities podcast and its Research episode; my name is Fanni, and today I will introduce a research paper by summarising it. The episode really is just a short summary of the original paper, and, in case it is interesting enough, I would encourage everyone to check out the whole paper. Stay tuned until because I will give you the 3 most important things and some questions which would be interesting to discuss.

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Michael Batty’s “Inventing Future Cities” is a comprehensive exploration of the modern city and its potential for growth and transformation. The book covers a range of topics, from the history of cities and urban planning to the latest technological advancements and their potential impact on urban life.

One of the key themes of the book is the idea that cities are complex systems that can be studied and understood using a range of tools, including data analysis and computational modelling. Batty argues that by taking a more scientific approach to urban planning and design, we can create cities that are more efficient, sustainable, and liveable. By analysing data and creating computational models, urban scientists can identify patterns and predict outcomes, such as the impact of a new development on traffic congestion or the effectiveness of a new public transportation system. This approach can help urban planners and policymakers make more informed decisions and create more efficient and sustainable cities.

Throughout the book, Batty draws on examples from cities around the world to illustrate his points. He discusses the history of cities, from the ancient cities of Mesopotamia and Egypt to the rise of modern cities in the 19th and 20th centuries. He also explores the challenges facing cities today, including population growth, climate change, and social inequality. Batty also highlights the challenges that cities have faced throughout history, such as disease outbreaks, poverty, and environmental degradation. By understanding the history of cities, He argues, we can gain insights into the factors that have shaped urbanization and the challenges that cities continue to face today.

Batty goes on to discuss the potential of new technologies to transform cities in the future. He explores the potential of smart cities, which use sensors and other digital tools to collect and analyse data in real-time, and the potential of autonomous vehicles to change the way we move around cities. He also discusses the potential of new materials, such as carbon nanotubes, to revolutionize urban construction and design. For example, Batty argues that smart cities have the potential to revolutionize urban planning and design by enabling real-time data analysis and decision-making. However, he also acknowledges that there are concerns about privacy, security, and the potential for these systems to exacerbate social inequalities. Similarly, Batty explores the potential of autonomous vehicles to reduce traffic congestion and improve safety. However, he also discusses the challenges of integrating these vehicles into existing urban infrastructure, and the potential impact on employment and social dynamics.

One of the key messages of the book is that the future of cities is not predetermined. Batty argues that we have the power to shape the cities of the future in a way that reflects our values and priorities. However, he also acknowledges that creating better cities will require collaboration and innovation across a range of fields, from architecture and engineering to public policy and community engagement. Batty emphasizes the importance of engaging with local communities, and empowering citizens to participate in the planning and design of their cities. He also highlights the need for interdisciplinary collaboration, bringing together experts from a range of fields to create innovative solutions to complex urban challenges. Ultimately, Batty argues that the key to creating better cities is to adopt a more holistic and integrated approach, one that considers the social, environmental, and economic dimensions of urban life.

By working together and embracing new ideas and technologies, we can create cities that are more sustainable, equitable, and liveable for all. Overall, “Inventing Future Cities” is a thought-provoking and informative read that offers a fresh perspective on the challenges and opportunities facing cities in the 21st century. Batty’s insights and ideas are sure to inspire urban planners, policymakers, and anyone interested in the future of urban life.

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What was the most interesting part for you? What questions did arise for you? Do you have any follow up question? Let me know on Twitter at WTF4Cities or on the wtf4cities.com website where the transcripts and show notes are available! Additionally, I will highly appreciate if you consider subscribing to the podcast or on the website. I hope this was an interesting paper for you as well, and thanks for tuning in!

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Finally, as the most important things, I would like to highlight 3 aspects:

1. Cities are complex systems that can be understood and improved using a scientific approach, because we can gain a better understanding of the relationships between different urban systems and make more informed decisions that can help create more efficient and sustainable cities.
2. Collaboration and interdisciplinary approaches are key to creating better cities and innovative solutions to complex urban challenges which also includes engaging with local communities, and empowering citizens to participate in the planning and design of their cities.
3. The future of cities is not predetermined, but by working together and embracing new ideas and technologies, we can create cities that are more sustainable, equitable, and liveable for all.

Additionally, it would be great to talk about the following questions:

1. How do you think we can apply a more scientific approach to urban planning and design in our own cities?
2. How can we empower citizens to participate in the planning and design of their cities, and what role do you think local communities should play in shaping the future of our cities?
3. What are some of the key challenges facing your city today, and how do you think we can address them?
4. What role are you playing in shaping the future of your city?

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