Cities

Cities are more than just a place with lots of buildings and people; It’s a busy, organized area where many systems work together. They’re ecosystems of human life. From the people who live there to the infrastructure that keeps things running, everything has its place. Cities thrive on diversity, bringing together people from different cultures, backgrounds, and professions. This mix is what gives every city its unique personality. Cities are hubs for innovation, trade, and culture, making them vibrant centers of activity and opportunity. Cities often begin near rivers, coastlines, or other strategic locations. Today, there are more than 10,000 cities worldwide, and over 30 megacities (cities with a population of more than 10 million), including Tokyo, Delhi, and Shanghai. Cities are important for culture, business, and education. Their history influences their design; older cities typically feature narrow, winding streets, while newer ones often have wide roads and well-planned zones.

What three things do you think every city must have to thrive?

While cities are known for their tall buildings and busy streets, green spaces are the lungs of the urban environment. Parks provide places for people to relax, exercise, and connect with nature. They also play a key role in improving air quality and creating habitats for wildlife. Some cities even have urban forests, botanical gardens, or riverside trails that offer an escape from the hustle and bustle. These spaces aren’t just nice to have; they’re essential for a healthier and more livable city. Buildings in cities vary greatly, from cozy homes to multi-family residences to towering skyscrapers. Skyscrapers dominate downtown areas, providing office spaces and apartments, while residential buildings in connecting neighborhoods are often designed for families. Public buildings include libraries, hospitals, religious structures, and city halls, all of which serve essential purposes and reflect the city’s identity. Many cities feature historic buildings that tell stories of their past, alongside modern designs that showcase cutting-edge architecture. Getting around is a significant part of city life—cities where people can walk and bike tend to offset car use. Cities with interconnected bike lanes, bus stops, and train stations enable people to move quickly and efficiently. Well-designed transport reduces traffic and car use, lowers pollution, and connects people to work, school, and leisure activities. Cities like Tokyo, New York, London, and Paris are renowned for their extensive subway systems, while others, such as Amsterdam and Copenhagen, lead the way in bike-friendly infrastructure. A reliable and accessible transportation system is key to making cities feel connected and convenient for everyone. Walkable cities are essential for the health of human life. When people can walk to the store, the library, or to work, they connect with others.

Check your city’s walk score and think about how it could be improved.

What is your favorite green space in your city, and why?

Neighborhoods are the building blocks of cities, each with distinct features and functions. Some neighborhoods are filled with historic homes and tree-lined streets, while others are bustling with high-rise apartments, shops, and offices. Residential areas often include schools, parks, and small grocery stores, creating a sense of convenience for families. In contrast, commercial neighborhoods might have a mix of restaurants, retail stores, and entertainment venues. Together, these diverse neighborhoods bring vibrancy and life to cities, offering spaces where people live, work, and socialize. Neighborhoods are the smaller areas within cities where people reside and interact. They come in many styles, ranging from old with historic buildings to new and modern. Some neighborhoods grow around groups of people with shared cultures or languages. In Chicago, for example, you’ll find neighborhoods like Chinatown, Pilsen (a Mexican-American area), and Greektown. Good neighborhoods offer amenities such as parks, schools, and gathering places. Studies show that walkable areas with trees and parks help people stay healthier and happier. Sometimes, local groups work with the city to clean up streets, plant gardens, or host events. What do people in your neighborhood do that brings the community together?

What’s your favorite neighborhood, and what makes it stand out?

St. Augustine, founded in 1565, is the oldest city in the continental U.S. Built by Europeans, it features a central park, stone streets, Spanish-style buildings, and historic forts, such as the Castillo de San Marcos, and churches. Although the town has only about 15,000 residents, more than 6 million people visit each year to see its history. The city earns its primary income from tourism and hosts events that celebrate its Spanish, Native American, and African American heritage. The oldest street in St. Augustine, Florida, is Aviles Street, originally known as Hospital Street. It was home to the second Spanish Military Hospital, a cemetery, churches, and other important buildings. Flagler College is a thriving university in St Augustine in the historic District. Today, Aviles Street and St Augustine are a vibrant arts district with galleries, shops, and restaurants. Located on the coast, the city is planning for resilience to storms.

How can cities protect old buildings while still growing?

Santa Fe was founded in 1610 and is the oldest state capital in the U.S. It sits more than 7,000 feet above sea level and is known for its Pueblo-style buildings that reflect Native, Spanish, and Mexican cultures. With a population of around 89,000, it welcomes more than 1 million tourists each year. People come to see its art galleries (over 250 of them), the Santa Fe Opera, and the Georgia O’Keeffe Museum. Santa Fe has rules to protect its building style and focuses on clean energy and smart city planning.

How do art and culture make a city more interesting?

Tokyo is the capital of Japan and one of the world’s most technologically advanced cities. With a population of over 37 million in the greater metropolitan area, Tokyo is the largest and most densely populated urban area in the world. Tokyo is renowned for its blend of ancient traditions and futuristic innovations. You can find peaceful temples and shrines right next to neon-lit skyscrapers and high-speed trains. The city is immaculate and organized, with a world-class public transport system that includes bullet trains (Shinkansen). Popular districts include Shibuya, known for its famous crossing and fashion, Marunouchi, with the Imperial Palace and a business and commercial district near Tokyo Station; Nihonbashi and Akihabara are well-known for their electronics and anime culture. Tokyo hosted the Olympics in 1964 and again in 2021 (postponed from 2020).

What does Tokyo teach us about blending the old and the new? Draw or list three things about Tokyo’s culture that stand out to you. Would you rather visit a temple or a robot café in Tokyo? Why?

Paris, known as the “City of Light,” has a history of over 2000 years as a center of trade, art, culture, cuisine, education, intellectual life, and revolution. It is home to over 11 million people in its metro area. Initially settled by the Parisii, it became a Roman city, then a walled city as its population expanded. Catherine de Medici claimed riverfront land to build a new palace for the king, featuring one of the largest and oldest French-style gardens, the Tuileries. The Marais Place Royale, constructed between 1605 and 1612 under the reign of Henry IV, opened a new neighborhood with housing for the king and queen, as well as wealthy families around a jousting green. In the 1800s, Paris was ‘modernized’ by Urban Planner, Baron Haussmann, who added wide streets, parks, and improved sewer systems. Today, Paris is renowned for its fashion, cuisine, museums, and cultural world events. It is becoming greener by building more than 1,000 km of bike paths and closing 500 roads to pedestrians only. The Louvre Museum, the world’s largest art museum, is one of its top attractions. Approximately thirty million tourists visit Paris each year.

How can a city preserve its history while still growing and improving?

The world has changed a lot over the past 70 years. One of the most significant changes has been the rapid growth in the number and size of cities. In 1955, only a small number of cities had populations over 1 million. By 2016, there were more than 500 cities with populations exceeding 1 million!

This growth is known as urbanization, the process where more people move from rural areas (the countryside) into cities. Factors like job opportunities, education, transportation, and healthcare attract people to urban areas. While urbanization brings progress and innovation, it also creates challenges like overcrowding, pollution, and pressure on housing and services. Cities must grow wisely to remain livable and sustainable. Use a world map or a graph to compare how cities have grown between 1955 and 2016. Which regions grew the most? Why do you think more people moved to cities at that time? Imagine what cities might look like in 2200; draw or describe your vision.

Do you think cities will be larger or smaller in the future? What would your dream future city look like?

• What is a key feature that contributes to a city’s uniqueness?
  • The number of skyscrapers
  • Diversity of people, cultures, and professions
  • Its geographic size
  • Having only one type of industry
• What is one important role of green spaces in cities?
  • To increase property prices
  • To sell the lands in the future
  • To replace tall buildings
  • To improve air quality and provide habitats for wildlife
• Why are well-designed transportation systems important for cities?
  • They reduce traffic and pollution
  • They encourage car ownership
  • They make cities more expensive to live in
  • They limit access to leisure activities
• What is one key feature of residential neighborhoods in cities?
  • They only consist of high-rise apartments
  • They include schools, parks, and small grocery stores
  • They are primarily commercial areas
  • They lack public infrastructure
• What role do public buildings like libraries and hospitals play in a city?
  • They dominate the city skyline
  • They are primarily for tourists
  • They serve essential purposes for residents and reflect the city’s identity
  • They replace residential spaces
• What is one major challenge cities face, and how are they solving it?
  • Balancing development and preserving green spaces, solved by innovative solutions like renewable energy investments.
  • Overcrowding in schools, solved by building fewer classrooms
  • Traffic congestion, solved by increasing private car ownership
  • Housing shortages, solved by removing public housing